China's industrial production grows at faster pace in Q1

China's industrial production posted strong growth in the first quarter of 2025, laying a solid foundation for achieving the annual economic goal, according to a Chinese official on Friday.

At a press conference in Beijing, Xie Shaofeng, chief engineer of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, briefed the media on the overall performance of China's industrial production in the first three months.

"In the first quarter, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 6.5 percent year on year. The equipment manufacturing industry developed well, with the electronics, automobile, electrical machinery and equipment sectors playing a prominent role in driving growth. During this period of time, the contribution rate of industry to macroeconomic growth reached 36.3 percent. Industrial private investment remained rising by double digit, along with boosted corporate expectations, improved efficiency and increasing number of industrial enterprises above designated size. China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index, aka PMI, has expanded for two consecutive months," said Xie.

Then he highlighted the efforts that the country has put into technological and industrial innovation, which has promoted the high-end, intelligent and green development, as well as strengthened endogenous driving forces for industrial transformation and upgrading.

For example, increasing deployment of autonomous AI large models in key industrial sectors, more breakthroughs in AI+ products, and wider usage of smart terminal products.

He also introduced the sound development of China's digital industry.

"Digital technologies represented by 5G and AI large models are developing rapidly. In the first two months, the business revenue of the digital industry increased by 8.2 percent year on year. The capacity of network infrastructure has been continuously enhancing. As of the end of March, a total of 4.395 million 5G base stations have been built and put into operation," Xie noted.

China's industrial production grows at faster pace in Q1

China's industrial production grows at faster pace in Q1

A cultural event for promoting the 2026 Spring Festival Gala to be presented by China Media Group (CMG) was held on Tuesday at the Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington State, gathering both Chinese and U.S. representatives in cultural exchange amid a festive atmosphere.

"Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala - The World Watches the CMG Gala Together" was jointly held by the CMG, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Chinese Table Tennis Association, and the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association.

The event brought together nearly 500 representatives from both China and the U.S.

A choir made up of students from the Lincoln High School presented both Chinese and English songs and sent Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people.

Similar overseas events are set to be held in multiple other countries, including France, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil and Egypt.

The CMG has held the "Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala" event for three years in a row.

The Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, has been a major cultural symbol for the Chinese New Year celebrations in China since its debut in 1983. On every Chinese New Year's Eve, families and friends across the country gather to enjoy a mixed show of songs, dances, comic sketches, operas, and folk arts, among other performances.

The gala is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's most-watched TV program.

Cultural event for promoting CMG 2026 Spring Festival Gala held in U.S. port city