Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/VCG]

Measures taken by the authorities of Qingdao to boost economic recovery and consumption have been paying dividends as the coastal city in Shandong province saw further growth in its industrial production and investment in the first five months of this year.

According to the Qingdao Municipal Statistics Bureau, the city's industrial added value above designated size increased by 5.2 percent year-on-year, while the added value of high-tech manufacturing industry above designated size increased by 16 percent year-on-year from January to May.

From January to April, the operating income of eight out of 10 service industry categories in Qingdao saw positive growth. Contact-based industries like travel and catering also saw rapid expansion.

Air, railway and waterway passenger volumes were up 130.9 percent, 187.2 percent and 409.4 percent respectively. Air, rail and water freight throughput increased by 12.7 percent, 5 percent and 89 percent respectively.

Fixed-asset investment increased by 3.7 percent year-on-year in the January-May period while retail sales, a key measurement of consumer spending, increased by 11.9 percent year-on-year.

The city's foreign trade continued to grow, hitting 366.22 billion yuan ($50.68 billion), up 8.4 percent.

Employment continued to be stable. From January to May, 135,500 new urban jobs were created in the city, an increase of 2.14 percent year-on-year.

Qingdao will continue to intensify its efforts to boost socio-economic development and implement policy measures to stabilize the economy, said local officials.