Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region recorded a GDP of 482.63 billion yuan ($70.6 billion) in the first quarter of the year, increasing by 3.5 percent year-on-year, the regional bureau of statistics announced on Friday.

Photo via China Daily

The added value of the primary industry was 15.45 billion yuan, growing by 3 percent; while the secondary industry contributed 189.16 billion yuan, up 5.2 percent; and the tertiary industry added 278.01 billion yuan, increasing by 2.3 percent.

At a news conference in Urumqi on Friday, Wei Hong, deputy director of the bureau, noted that the region's economy remained stable during the first quarter, but faced temporary pressures from strong supply and weak demand.

However, she emphasized that this was part of a proactive transition toward high-quality, sustainable development. "Xinjiang's key industries are maintaining stable growth, investment is rising rapidly, and the quality and efficiency of development are continuously improving," Wei said. "In the long term, the fundamental trend of positive economic development remains unchanged."

According to the bureau, Xinjiang's industrial output remained steady, with value‑added output of industrial enterprises above a designated size grew by 7.8 percent year-on-year.

Six key industries, including nonferrous metal mining and smelting, textiles, food processing, power and heat supply, and chemical raw materials and products manufacturing, posted double-digit growth.

Furthermore, fixed asset investment across Xinjiang increased by 12.9 percent year-on-year.

Wei said the region plans to implement more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, focusing on stabilizing employment, business operations, markets and expectations to promote sustainable and healthy economic development.