North China's Shanxi province experienced a stable and promising economic start in the first quarter, with regional GDP reaching 561.13 billion yuan ($76.92 billion), reflecting a 4.5 percent year-on-year increase.

The province's agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery sectors, including related services, achieved an added value of 17.88 billion yuan, marking a 3.6 percent year-on-year growth at comparable prices. The added value of industries above the designated size grew 7.7 percent year-on-year.

The service sector's added value increased by 4 percent year-on-year, with the accommodation and catering industry seeing a 5.7 percent growth, profit-oriented services growing by 4.8 percent, and wholesale and retail trade increasing by 4.7 percent.

Fixed asset investment rose by 7.9 percent year-on-year. Investment in primary industries grew by 14.0 percent, secondary industries by 6.9 percent, and tertiary industries by 8.0 percent. Investment in high-tech industries surged by 33.6 percent.

Retail sales of consumer goods in the province amounted to 192.75 billion yuan, up 5.9 percent year-on-year. Urban retail sales reached 162.88 billion yuan, growing by 5.9 percent, while rural retail sales hit 29.88 billion yuan, increasing by 6.0 percent.

Tourism showed robust momentum, with key scenic spots receiving 24.97 million visitors, up 20.4 percent. Ticket revenue grew by 22.2 percent, reaching 590 million yuan, and operating income surged by 44.8 percent, totaling 1.14 billion yuan.