Chongqing’s economic growth rate of 14.9 per cent in 2009 was the third highest in China, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Shipbuilding is one of many industries in the city to have performed well over the past year, despite a worldwide downturn in the sector. The gross output of Chongqing’s ship industry reached Rmb15.67bn in 2009, up 55 per cent compared with 2008, according to municipal government figures. A surge in domestic orders more than compensated for a sharp fall in international business.