China's investment in fixed assets scaled up in 2024, with significant growth observed in high-tech industries, according to Kang Yi, head of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on Friday.
At a press conference introducing the performance of China's national economy in 2024, Kang further provided detailed figures.
"In 2024, the investment in fixed assets (excluding rural households) reached 51,437.4 billion yuan, up by 3.2 percent over the previous year. The investment in fixed assets was up by 7.2 percent with the investment in real estate development deducted," said Kang.
Breaking down the figures, Kang noted that the investment in infrastructure went up by 4.4 percent, manufacturing up by 9.2 percent, and real estate development down by 10.6 percent. The floor space of newly-built commercial buildings sold was 973.85 million square meters, down by 12.9 percent; and the total sales of newly-built commercial buildings were 9,675.0 billion yuan, down by 17.1 percent, he explained.
In terms of industries, the investment in the primary industry went up by 2.6 percent; that in the secondary industry up by 12.0 percent; and that in the tertiary industry down by 1.1 percent. Private investment edged down by 0.1 percent. Excluding the investment in real estate development, private investment grew by 6.0 percent, according to Kang.
"The investment in high-tech industries grew by 8.0 percent. Specifically, the investment in high-tech manufacturing and high-tech services grew by 7.0 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively. In terms of high-tech manufacturing, the investment in manufacturing of aerospace vehicles and equipment, as well as in manufacturing of computers and office devices grew by 39.5 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively. In terms of high-tech services, the investment in technological services and in services based on commercialized scientific and technological transformation went up by 30.3 percent and 11.4 percent, respectively. In December, the investment in fixed assets (excluding rural households) grew by 0.33 percent month on month," said Kang.
China's fixed asset investment rises in 2024, with high-tech industries seeing rapid growth
China's fixed asset investment rises in 2024, with high-tech industries seeing rapid growth
Several countries in the Middle East condemned on Sunday the remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi territory.
Netanyahu's remarks, made during an interview on Thursday with Israel's Channel 14, suggested that "Saudis can establish a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have plenty of land there."
In response, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the kingdom rejects such remarks that aim to divert attention from the "continuous crimes" committed by Israel.
The kingdom emphasizes that the Palestinian people have a right to their land, and lasting peace can only be achieved by returning to the logic of reason and accepting the principle of peaceful coexistence through the two-state solution, it said.
Also in a statement, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said Netanyahu's remarks constitute a blatant violation of the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and an assault on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in addition to their violation of the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter.
The ministry expressed Iraq's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, stressing that "any violation of the national sovereignty of any country is completely unacceptable."
Sufian Qudah, spokesman for Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, emphasized Jordan's rejection of the remarks, which he said reflect an exclusionary and inciteful ideology that is hostile to peace and fuels further escalation in the region.
Qudah reaffirmed Jordan's full support for and solidarity with Saudi Arabia, calling on the international community to condemn and denounce Netanyahu's remarks.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry labeled Netanyahu's remarks as a flagrant violation of international law and "a blatant infringement of the U.N. Charter."
In a statement, it reaffirmed the country's steadfast position on the justness of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said on Sunday that the underlying logic of Netanyahu's remarks is unacceptable and completely detached from reality.
On the same day, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) lambasted the Israeli prime minister's unacceptable and irresponsible remarks. The OIC regards this as a provocation against Saudi Arabia, violating its sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity and blatantly breaching international law and the U.N. Charter, it said.
On Saturday, multiple other countries, including Palestine, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sudan, also rebuked Netanyahu's remarks, arguing that they violate the sovereignty of both Palestine and Saudi Arabia and contravene the principles of international law.
Middle East countries deplore remarks on establishing Palestinian state in Saudi territory