Thriving sub-sectors such as creative design services, digital publication, and internet information services were the main drivers of steady growth of China's culture industries in the first quarter of 2025, showed the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday.
According to the NBS data, China's major enterprises in the culture and related industries reported 3.3939 trillion yuan (about 465.2 billion U.S. dollars) in combined operating revenue in the first three months, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.2 percent.
Notably, the operating revenue of companies in news information services, creative design services, and content creation and production rose by 10.5 percent, 8.6 percent, and 7.5 percent, respectively, from the same period in 2024.
New forms of cultural businesses logged rapid expansion in the first quarter, with the combined operating revenue reaching 1.4846 trillion yuan (about 203.5 billion U.S. dollars), or a year-on-year growth of 12.5 percent.
Businesses in sub-sectors such as smart entertainment drone manufacturing, digital publication, and internet advertising services led the way in expansion during the period, growing by 36.8 percent, 19.8 percent, and 16.4 percent, year on year, respectively.
In the first quarter, the combined profits of major enterprises in China's culture and related industries came in at 274.4 billion yuan (about 37.6 billion U.S. dollars), up by 29.1 percent from the same period of last year. The main drivers of profit growth included sub-sectors such as digital content services, internet information services, and internet cultural and entertainment platforms.
The NBS data came from a survey of cultural companies with annual revenue of more than 20 million yuan (about 2.74 million U.S. dollars) or those meeting other standards set by the agency.
Thriving sub-sectors drives growth of culture industries in Q1
Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran early Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, senior military leaders and research scientists in a major escalation against Tehran.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement that its jets have completed the first-stage attack, notably strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the goal of the ongoing operation is "to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Iran's ballistic missile factories, and Iran's military capabilities," and will continue "for as many days as it takes."
Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Deputy Army Commander Gholam-Ali Rashid were martyred as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported.
The Israeli airstrikes also killed two Iranian nuclear scientists, identified as Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, the report said. However, the Iranian side has denied reports that Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri was killed in the Israeli airstrikes, according to IRNA. A spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces said that Israel, with the support of the United States, launched attacks on many places in Iran, including residential areas, and will pay a "heavy price" for this, and await strong response from the Iranian armed forces.
Explosions were reported in Tehran and counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad, the Iranian state TV reported, adding that multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran.
Both Israel and Iran closed their airspace following the attack. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any U.S. assistance or involvement in the "unilateral" attack, adding that Israel had told Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.
Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the Middle East, saying that "I don't want them going in" as a new round of Oman-mediated negotiations between the United States and Iran will be held in Muscat Sunday.
"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement ... As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in because that would blow it," he told reporters in the White House.
Israel launches preemptive strike on Iran, killing military leaders
