China Q1 Economy: Industrial growth stable, private sector outperforms

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01:38

Data released Tuesday shows the first quarter was a fruitful one for China's industry sector. Government officials say despite a gloomy outlook for 2019, numbers in so far have beaten expectations. Sun Tianyuan has the detail.

China's industry sector was among those making first quarter gains. Industrial added value was up 6.5 percent for enterprises with annual revenue above 20 million yuan.

HUANG LIBIN MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY "Industry growth in general is slower than the same period last year, mainly because growth in mining and electricity generation has slowed down. But growth in manufacturing has sped up."

The manufacturing sector's PMI, or Purchasing Manager's Index rose back above its standard threshold of 50, which indicates growth.

Elsewhere, 5G hit the world's telecommunications sector in quarter number one.

Major players are racing to build up the high-speed network.

Chinese officials say the nation will keep pushing to roll out the network.

WEN KU MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY "We will work with related enterprises to roll out 5G nationwide. We will start in regions where demand is higher. It might take time before 5G covers the whole country."

In the private sector, industrial added value grew 10.6% in the first quarter, significantly faster than industry in general.

That happened following the release of several favorable government policies launched after this year's Two Sessions. Sun Tianyuan, CGTN.