Local government statistics showed that urbanites enjoy an annual disposable income of 11,700 yuan (US$1,410), while farmers have 5,500 yuan (US$663).

Statistics also registered significant growths of expenditure on education, culture, healthcare and travel.

Over the past five years, a total of 78 million square meters of new living space have been constructed,raising the per capita living area to over 11 square meters.

Meanwhile, a social security system has taken shape,seeing over 98 percent of residents registered for unemployment, medical and retirement insurance.

Xu, in a report delivered to the municipal people's congress, attributed the reason to sustained, rapid and stable development of national economy and social undertakings.

The GDP of the city has grown 11.4 annually on average during the past five years, and reached 455.1 billion yuan (US$54.83 billion) in 2000.

(Xinhua 02/09/2001)