YINCHUAN — Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region has achieved robust economic growth since 2012, local authorities told a press briefing on July 18.

Over the past decade, the region's gross domestic product grew at an average annual rate of 7.1 percent, and per capita GDP nearly doubled. Industries such as coal chemicals, new energy and new materials have gained national prominence, according to the press briefing.

In the period, the average annual income of rural residents increased 2.26 times to 15,337 yuan (about $2,274), and that of urban residents grew 1.96 times to 38,291 yuan, said Liang Yanshun, Party chief of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

The region has made great efforts to promote scientific and technological innovation. Its R&D investment doubled over the past decade.