China's industrial production grows steadily in first three quarters

China's industrial production registered steady growth in the first three quarters of 2024, accompanied by a faster pace of intelligent and green transformation.

From January to September, the total value added of industrial enterprises above the designated size increased by 5.8 percent year-on-year.

Powered by innovation and green upgrades, industrial performance emerged as a key strength, contributing nearly 40 percent of the GDP in the first three quarters.

In terms of structural adjustments, the value added in equipment manufacturing and high-tech sectors grew by 7.5 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively, significantly surpassing the 5.8 percent growth rate for all designated large industrial enterprises. This shift reflects a transition toward a more efficient, technology-driven industrial model.

"During the first three quarters, the trend of industrial transformation towards 'new' and 'green' has become more obvious, with high-tech manufacturing thriving, intelligent products rapidly growing, the new energy industry continuously expanding, and the acceleration of shifting from old drivers of growth to new ones, becoming a significant force leading high-quality industrial development," said Han Jianfei, deputy director of the Institute of Industrial Economics of CCID Consulting, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

In the major equipment sector, the electronics and automotive sectors grew rapidly, with double-digit increases in the production of products such as new energy vehicles, integrated circuits, and 3D printing equipment, serving as important engines driving industrial growth.

In the first three quarters, there was a clear trend of industrial transformation and upgrading. Green products represented by the "three new products" (electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells) gained significant momentum, with production continuing to grow at a double-digit rate.

Industries related to competitive new energy sources like wind power, nuclear power, and photovoltaic power maintained rapid production growth. Meanwhile, the added value of information transmission, software, information technology services, and digital product manufacturing has been growing rapidly, injecting new vitality into the high-quality development of China's industrial economy.

China's industrial production grows steadily in first three quarters

International relations experts from Japan and some other countries warned against the rise of right-wing militarism tendencies in the Japanese government reflected in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent Taiwan-related remarks.

Critics say such blatant disregard of history and basic principles of international relations could have very dangerous impacts, damaging mutual trust Asian countries have worked hard to build and threating peace and stability in the region.

"Sanae Takaichi say that a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency. This statement is very dangerous. It breaks basic principles of international law and international relations. It also interferes in China's internal affairs and try to pull Japan into a regional conflict. This work shows that some Japanese politicians are moving forward right-wing ideas and risky military thinking," said Lim Wen Jye, a senior researcher at Malaysia's Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research.

"To my view, Takaichi is simply a puppet for these forces that are being activated - the old military forces, the right-wing forces in Japan," said Stephen Brawer, an international relations expert and chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden.

In Japan, scholars have stressed the importance of stable bilateral relations with China and urged the prime minister to withdraw erroneous remarks.

"From a diplomatic perspective, existing agreements between Japan and China were overturned. When Sino-Japanese relations were normalized, China's approach to Japan was to make a distinction between Japanese militarists and ordinary citizens, and not to seek reparations. However, the Japanese government must bear its due responsibility for the past," said political economist Kazuhide Uekusa.

Scholars warn against right-wing politics reflected in Japanese PM's remarks