China's machinery industry witnesses robust growth in H1

The machinery industry in China experienced a notable surge in the first half of this year, according to a report from the China Machinery Industry Federation on Wednesday.

The industry's value added recorded a remarkable 6.1 percent year-on-year growth, surpassing the national industrial growth rate by 0.1 percentage points. All five major sectors within the machinery industry witnessed positive growth during this period.

Since the beginning of the second quarter, China's machinery industry has been exhibiting a favorable operational trend, marked by increased production efficiency. This growth can be attributed to the industry's concerted efforts in embracing digitization, driving intelligent transformations, and promoting the modernization of traditional sectors. Additionally, the industry has focused on cultivating and developing new quality productive forces to further enhance its overall performance.

Simultaneously, the successful implementation of large-scale equipment upgrades and a program encouraging the replacement of old consumer goods have played a vital role in stimulating market demand and spurring the machinery industry's growth. As a result, the production speed of the industry has significantly accelerated. Notably, 122 major machinery products saw their cumulative production growth in the first half of the year reaching an impressive 61.5 percent, surpassing the corresponding period last year.

In breakdown, the domestic production and sales of new energy vehicles had already surpassed 30 million units by the end of June, indicating a promising trajectory for this emerging market segment. The electrical equipment sector has demonstrated sustained high-level production, while the engineering machinery sector has witnessed stabilization after a period of decline. Additionally, the recovery of consumer and tourism markets has fueled the growth of products such as cameras and specialized packaging equipment.

China's machinery industry witnesses robust growth in H1

China's machinery industry witnesses robust growth in H1

Multiple handheld pager explosions struck Beirut and the southeastern and northeastern regions of Lebanon on Tuesday, leading to a temporary internet shutdown in the southern suburbs of the capital city, according to China Media Group (CMG) reporter Ci Xiaoning.

"I am currently at the entrance of a major hospital in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Around 15:30 today, there were several explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. My Lebanese colleague, who lives very close to the area, experienced an immediate loss of internet connectivity. Reports have since confirmed that many handheld pagers were involved in the explosions," Ci reported outside a hospital in Beruit.

Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad confirmed that the explosions resulted in at least nine deaths and about 2,800 injuries, with approximately 200 people in critical condition. The injured are being transferred to hospitals.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people."

In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate.

The Lebanese Council of Ministers stressed that the government, shortly after the deadly explosions, began contacting the concerned countries and the United Nations to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Israel has yet to comment on Tuesday's blasts. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to address the implications of the explosions.

CMG reporter says internet shutdown following deadly pager blasts in Lebanon