China's emerging industries see rapid sales growth in first 11 months

Sales revenue in the high-tech industry grew by 14.7 percent year on year in the first 11 months, according to data released by the State Taxation Administration on Monday.

Among them, sales revenue in high-tech services increased by 17.2 percent year on year, while sales revenue in high-tech manufacturing rose by 11.1 percent. In manufacturing sectors such as integrated circuits and industrial machine tools, sales revenue grew by 19.3 percent and 11 percent year on year, respectively.

"From January to November, sales revenue in core industries of the digital economy rose by 10 percent year on year, while the firms' purchases of digital technology increased by 10.2 percent year on year. Sales revenue from digital product services and digital technology applications rose by 9.8 percent and 14.3 percent, respectively, showing the advancing progress of digital industrialization and industrial digitalization. Meanwhile, sales revenue in the data resources and intellectual property trading industry increased by 11.1 percent year on year, indicating accelerated progress in the marketization of data," said Cai Zili, deputy director of the State Taxation Administration at a press conference.

Cai said that China has deepened its efforts to upgrade traditional industries and accelerate the adoption of smart manufacturing equipment. In the first 11 months, the firms' purchases of digitized equipment by traditional industries rose by 7.6 percent, while purchases of automation equipment rose by 9.3 percent. Production practices in traditional industries have become more environmentally friendly, Cai added.

"From January to November, firms' purchases of energy-saving and environmental protection technologies in traditional industries increased by 33.2 percent year on year. This reflects the sustained intensification of technological upgrades for energy savings and carbon reduction in traditional industries, which will promote cleaner, low-carbon production practices while enhancing resource utilization efficiency," said Cai.

China's emerging industries see rapid sales growth in first 11 months

A fire broke out at the Fairmont The Palm hotel on Dubai's landmark Palm Jumeirah on Saturday, reportedly caused by falling debris from an Iranian missile.

Earlier that evening, videos circulating on social media showed a dense column of black smoke rising from the top of the building, while several loud explosions were reported in the area.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defense said Saturday that its air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed a wave of Iranian missiles and drones launched towards the country.

The ministry confirmed that multiple missiles were shot down, with debris falling in several areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Dubai Civil Defense said four people were injured in an explosion in the Palm Jumeirah area.

In a statement, the ministry stressed that the targeting constitutes a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, affirming the UAE's full right to take all necessary measures to protect its territory and people and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.

The UAE has reportedly closed parts of its airspace as a precautionary measure.

The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Saturday, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran against Israeli and U.S. targets across the Middle East.

Iranian airstrikes on the UAE continued on Sunday, with China Media Group (CMG) reporters in Dubai hearing four more explosions in the morning.

The Ministry of Defense of the UAE said on Sunday that the country's air force and air defense forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones launched by Iran.

The attacks have killed at least three people and injured 58 others in the UAE, the ministry said.

Iranian airstrike sparks fire at Dubai's Fairmont The Palm hotel