China's Industrial Output Grows 6.1 Percent in First Quarter of 2026

Beijing (ANTARA) - China’s value-added industrial output grew 6.1 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, 1.1 percentage points faster than the previous quarter.

This was according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). On a monthly basis, industrial output grew 0.28 percent in March 2026.

Industrial output is used to measure the activity of large enterprises, each recording annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan (1 yuan = Rp2,513) or about 2.91 million US dollars (1 US dollar = Rp17,141).

Details of the data show that value-added output in the mining sector increased 6 percent (yoy) in Q1. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector recorded growth of 6.4 percent. Value-added output in the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water rose 4.3 percent.

Value-added output in the high-tech manufacturing sector surged 12.5 percent in Q1. That sector’s share in total value-added industry reached 16.9 percent, driving overall growth by two percentage points.

According to NBS Deputy Head Mao Shengyong, in particular, value-added output in the manufacturing of amusement and aerospace equipment grew 17.7 percent. Meanwhile, value-added output in aircraft manufacturing grew 27.3 percent.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has driven growth in various related sectors.

In Q1, manufacturing of special electronic materials and integrated circuits, both directly related to AI production and application, recorded surges in value-added output of 32.5 percent and 49.4 percent respectively.

Mao stated at a press conference that the AI-driven momentum has expanded further to upstream sectors, penetrating the chemical and energy industries, which provide essential raw materials and energy, demonstrating sustained ripple effects on the broader economy.

Data released on Thursday (16/4) also showed that China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5 percent (yoy) in Q1, 0.5 percentage points faster than Q4 2025. China targets growth of around 4.5 to 5 percent for 2026 and will strive for better results in practice.