BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Yunnan Province reported the fastest GDP growth in the first half (H1) of this year in China as the country's west region accelerates in unleashing growth potential, official data showed.

The economy of southwest China's Yunnan expanded 9.2 percent over a year ago in H1, followed by neighbouring province Guizhou.

(File photo: A view of a construction site in Chenggong District of Kunming, Yunnan province, April 14, 2016/VCG)

A total of 16 provincial regions outpaced the whole country in H1 GDP growth, which came at 6.3 percent.

South China's Guangdong took the lead in terms of GDP volume, which topped five trillion yuan (710.1 billion U.S. dollars) in the first six months.

Northeast China's Jilin grew slowest during this period, expanding only 2 percent in GDP. The central government and local governments have rolled out an array of policies to revitalize the northeast region, an old industrial base.