Profits of China's major industrial firms increased 3.2 percent year on year in the first nine months of 2025, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday.

Industrial firms with an annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan (about $2.8 million) saw their combined profits totaling 5.37 trillion yuan during the nine-month period.

In September, profits of major industrial firms recovered remarkably, rising 21.6 percent from the same period last year.

Yu Weining, chief statistician at the NBS, said industrial profits have accelerated this year, driven by the steady expansion of high-tech and equipment manufacturing, the rise of new quality productive forces, and a low base effect.

From January to September, operating revenue grew 2.4 percent year on year, slightly faster than in the first eight months. High-tech and equipment manufacturing led the gains, while profit improved across all enterprise types, with private and foreign-funded firms seeing stronger growth, Yu added.

(With input from Xinhua; Cover via VCG)