Harbin will maintain stable economic growth in 2017, according to a series of blue books compiled by the Harbin Academy of Social Sciences.

The three blue books issued by the Harbin Press include Harbin Economic Analysis and Forecast (2017), Harbin Social Situation Analysis and Forecast (2017), and Harbin Cultural Development Report (2017).

According to the blue book about Harbin’s economy, gross regional product will remain at about 7 percent during 2017. In 2016, Harbin promoted supply-side structural reforms and maintained stable economic development momentum. The book advises Harbin to grasp the opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and improve the city’s economic competitiveness.

In the blue book concerning Harbin’s social development, it says Harbin will speed up moves to become a moderately prosperous society this year. Meanwhile, the city will also optimize its development environment, and continue to make efforts to drive new-types of urbanization.

The blue book on Harbin’s cultural development foretells that by the end of 2017, the added value of Harbin’s culture industry will reach 48 billion yuan ($7 billion).The average growth rate of Harbin’s culture industry reached more than 20 percent over the period between 2008 and 2016. It urges the advancement of the transformation and upgrading of Harbin’s culture industry.