Economic Performance - Zhejiang's economy has shown resilience and progress, achieving a stable operation with significant growth in key economic indicators [2][6] - From January to May, Zhejiang's exports reached 1.69 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.6%, accounting for 15.9% of the national total [2][11] - The province's contribution to national export growth was 20.7%, ranking first in the country [2] Consumption and Investment - In May, Zhejiang's retail sales of consumer goods totaled 338.4 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 7.2%, marking the second-highest growth since 2025 [2] - Fixed asset investment in Zhejiang from January to May grew at the highest rate among the four eastern provinces, with project investment increasing by 12.1% [3][5] Industrial Growth - The industrial economy in Zhejiang has consistently outpaced national growth, with a 8.9% increase in industrial added value in the first quarter [5] - Despite challenges such as high tariffs, the industrial growth rates for April and May remained above the national average [5] Innovation and New Products - Zhejiang has seen a surge in innovation, with high-tech manufacturing and strategic emerging industries showing significant growth [9] - New product output rates reached 41.7%, indicating a strong focus on innovation and technology [9] Government Support and Policies - The provincial government has implemented a robust economic policy framework, maintaining a fiscal budget exceeding 104.2 billion yuan to support economic activities [12] - The government has also launched initiatives to boost consumption, resulting in improved consumer data [12] Private Sector Resilience - The private sector in Zhejiang has demonstrated strong resilience, with private industrial enterprises' added value increasing by 5.9% from January to May [15] - The number of foreign trade enterprises in the province reached 106,000, with private enterprises accounting for 81.7% of total trade value [15]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of Zhejiang's economy through the "Sweet Potato Economy" theory, emphasizing the importance of Zhejiang merchants expanding globally to enhance local development and economic growth [1][2]. Group 1: Economic Growth and Development - Zhejiang's economic total has grown from 800 billion in 2002 to 9.01 trillion in 2024, with foreign trade exceeding 5 trillion for the first time, and exports ranking second nationally for two consecutive years [1]. - Over 600,000 Zhejiang merchants are actively engaged in markets outside the province, with more than 200,000 operating in over 180 countries and regions globally [4]. Group 2: Global Expansion of Companies - Companies like Huayou Cobalt have successfully integrated into global supply chains, expanding operations from Zhejiang to Africa, Indonesia, and Europe, thus enhancing their competitive edge [3]. - The Delixi Group, after relocating its R&D center to Shanghai, expanded its operations to countries like Russia, Brazil, and Spain, demonstrating the benefits of "going out" for long-term growth [3]. Group 3: High-Quality Development Strategies - Zhejiang's strategy includes high-quality "going out" and "bringing in" to strengthen its economic base, with a focus on integrating into global industrial chains [5][6]. - The success of companies like Jack and Geely illustrates the effectiveness of acquiring foreign technology and resources to enhance local production capabilities [6]. Group 4: Digital Economy and Trade - Zhejiang is leveraging digital trade to enhance its international competitiveness, focusing on creating a digital trade rule system and promoting cross-border e-commerce [7]. - The province has hosted global digital trade expos and developed a "digital port" to facilitate international trade, aligning domestic supply with global demand [7]. Group 5: Future Challenges and Opportunities - Zhejiang faces challenges from increasing external uncertainties and the need for internal breakthroughs, prompting a push for high-level openness and the construction of a high-energy open province [8][10]. - The ongoing application of the "Sweet Potato Economy" theory is seen as crucial for sustainable development and adapting to global market changes [10].