Changsha's industrial economic output grew to 1.16 trillion yuan ($174.9 billion) in 2016, with the value added output of industries above a designated size ranking fourth among provincial capital cities in China, local media reported on Oct 22.

Changsha ranks only after Guangzhou, Wuhan and Chengdu, surpassing cities of Zhengzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou.

Experts say the rapid increase in the electronic information manufacturing and automotive industries has reinvigorated the city’s industrial growth.

In the four years from 2013 to 2016, Changsha experienced an average annual increase of 33.2 percent in its electronic information manufacturing industry, 22.5 percentage points higher than that of the city's general industrial growth.

Its automobile industry saw an average increase of 32.8 percent in the same period, increasing its ranking to the fifth place among all industries.

Industrial robots are used in the workshop of GAC Fiat Chrysler, based in Changsha, Hunan province. [Photo by Wang Zhiwei/icswb.com]

Statistics revealed that industrial parks, demonstration zones and development areas also contributed an increasing part in the city's industrial development.

As of the end of 2016, Changsha is home to 14 parks under unified administration, five being at national-level and seven being at provincial-level.

In 2016, industrial parks and zones in Changsha amassed large-scale industrial added-value of 198.83 billion yuan, growing at an annual average rate of 12.5 percent since 2012.

The number of industrial enterprises is also increased, with flagship companies playing a leading role.

Additions such as GAC Fiat Chrysler, GAC Mitsubishi Motors and BYD, opened up an operation in Changsha and started production, constituting new power to boost the city's economy.

In 2016, a total of 1,557 enterprises recorded production value of more than 100 million yuan, increasing 67.1 percent compared with that in 2012; and a total of 160 enterprises generated more than 1 billion yuan a year, up by 158.1 percent in 2012.

On top of this, Changsha is improving its industrial layout in a bid to achieve a balanced development.