Since China adopted the reform and opening policy in 1978, Yichang has witnessed marked progresses in its social and economic development. It also enjoys the reputation as the most active belt in the Golden Triangle of economic construction in Hubei Province. Now, the city is striving to turn itself into one of the international modernized city in the world .

Agriculture

In 2002,the output of grain of the whole city was 1.4416 million tons,an increase of 100 thousand tons on that of the best year in history.The cotton output was 14.6 thousand tons.The oilseeds output was 171.6 thousand tons ,an increase of 6.98% on that of the previous year.The average net income of each farmer reached 2,475 yuan (USD298).

Noticeable progresses have been achieved in agricultural industrialization.The whole city got into the mode of light industry of textile,food and heavy industry of resources developing and processing and the two developed together. The productive base of grain and cotton came into being on the east plain, and a mountainous area forestry base of 3 million mu (200 thousand hectares) took shape in the west.The land along the Yangtze River became the major fruit-planting area.The merchandise producing bases of grain, cotton, pigs, fish, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms,fungi and medicinal materials were tentatively set up.

Industry

Yichang's industry ranges mainly electrical power, machinery, chemicals, food and building materials. Last year,the planned industry enterprises realized an output value of RMB8.48 billion yuan (USD 1.02 billion), an increase of 11.9% on that of the previous year. The profit tax is RMB 2.32 billion yuan (USD 279.5 million) , an increase of 11.8% on that of the previous year. The accomplished fixed asset investment of the whole city is RMB26.5  billion yuan (USD 3.2 billion),an increase of 6.7% on that of the previous year. There are 81 newly built industrial projects with a total investment of RMB 2.25 billion yaun (USD 271 million). 28 backbone projects, like "Shuanghui Food", have been set up and put into operation and the initial work of some key items has made substantial progresses.In 2002, the national economy keeps steady growth.

Tourism

Yichang is listed as one of the eleven major tourist cities in China. It boasts many famous attractions such as the mysterious painting corridor of the Three Gorges, the beautiful landscape of Qingjiang River, the grand battlefield of the Three Kingdoms Period.Because the construction of the TGP, tourism is getting more prosperous. In 2002,the production value of the tertiary industry with tourism taking the lead has made an increase of 11.3% than that of last year, accounting for 30.6% of the GDP.The whole city entertained 8.04 million tourists at home and abroad and achieved a total revenue of RMB 5.07 billion yuan (USD 610.8 million), an increase of 13.1% and 15.2% respectively than that of the previous year.

Finance

In 2002, the national economy kept on rapid growth.The gross domestic production value amounted to RMB 44.406 billion yuan (USD 5.35 billion), an increase of 8.7% on that of the previous year. The total revenue of the whole city broke through RMB 4.84 billion yuan (USD 583 million), an increase of 2.86% on that of the previous year.The expenditure on science, agriculture,education and social insurance increased 10.6%,36.7%,24.9%and 33% respectively.The total bank loan accumulated to RMB 22.32 billion yuan (USD 2.69 billion), an increase of RMB 4.65 billion yuan (USD 560 million) than the previous year.

Last year in Yichang, 47 foreign-fund investment enterprises were newly approved and a total foreign capital of USD 75 million was directly used,an increase of 16.6% on that of the previous year. The export reached 0.139 billion US dollars.

Education

Yichang is a national advanced city of "Science and Education Prospering City" . Education in Yichang is developing rapidly. By the end of 2000, the city had 1535 primary schools,273 middle schools including 44 senior middle schools and 35 secondary vocational schools.They enrolled a total of 1,067,289 students. Yichang adopts a high standard and high quality nine-year compulsory education system. The admitting rate of school-age children for the nine-year compulsory education reaches 99.9%.The city is developing vocational and technical education,adult education as well as modern higher education in diversified forms and at all levels . 60 items of intentional directional assistance are being carried out.The total investment of the items under construction of the schools directly managed by the municipal educational bureau is more than RMB 40 million yuan (USD 4.82 million) which is unprecedented in the history of school construction.