China's light industry logs robust start in Jan-Feb as supportive policies kick in

China's light industry sector posted a robust start in the first two months of the year, according to the latest data, which suggests an uptick in consumer demand and the positive impact of plans to stabilize growth across the sector.

According to the latest figures from the China National Light Industry Council, the value-added output in the light industry sector for enterprises above the designated size grew by 7 percent year on year in the first two months, and was up 1.7 percentage points compared to the end of last year.

Among 91 major light industrial products, 69 saw an increase in output, accounting for over 75 percent of the total, with the value-added output of the plastic furniture and battery manufacturing sectors shooting up by more than 20 percent.

In the consumer market, the effects of targeted policy measures continue to take hold with a raft of supportive steps designed to stimulate consumption all bearing fruit.

Among these was the extension of the consumer goods trade-in policy which was first successfully implemented in 2024, and has so far driven cumulative sales of 323.26 billion yuan (over 46.8 billion U.S. dollars) this year, with high-efficiency home appliances and smart glasses posting particularly strong sales performance.

Meanwhile, retail sales in 11 categories of light industrial goods exceeded 1.5 trillion yuan (about 217 billion U.S. dollars), up 9.3 percent year on year, during the January-February period.

There were also encouraging signs in terms of investment at the start of this year, with five of the nine key light industrial sectors enjoying investment growth. The agricultural and sideline food processing sector, as well as the leather and papermaking sectors each saw a more than 10 percent increase in investment.

The export structure also continues to improve, according to the data, which revealed most of the 22 major export sectors achieved growth, with exports of batteries and battery components surging 42.6 percent year on year, showing a significant increase in export market vitality.

Last September, China announced a two-year work plan to stabilize growth in the light industry sector, aiming to strengthen its role in supporting steady economic expansion. The plan for 2025 and 2026 outlined 15 tasks, focusing on optimizing supply, boosting consumption, maintaining international competitiveness, improving the industrial ecosystem, and strengthening the momentum for high-quality development.

China's light industry logs robust start in Jan-Feb as supportive policies kick in

Dozens of protesters in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture rallied in front of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Fuji on Tuesday to condemn the government's deployment of new missiles at the base.

Japan's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) for island defense had been deployed at Camp Fuji, and Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture had been equipped with a ground-launched version of the upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship guided missile.

This marks the first time that long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities have been brought into service in Japan and marks a significant shift from the country's long-standing exclusively defense-oriented policy under its war-renouncing Constitution.

Protesters have expressed concern that the deployment could turn the area into a potential military target and have repeatedly called on the defense ministry to hold public briefings, which have yet to take place.

"As local residents, we cannot remain silent. We must speak out to reassure our residents and ensure their safety. This time, they are deploying a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, but this will continue. After Camp Kengun and Camp Fuji, they will deploy more throughout the country. We cannot ignore this. We must voice our opposition," said Hiroyuki Takahata, a protester.

"As mentioned in the latest appeal, the government disregards the Constitution in this missile deployment. It should focus on its primary duty of protecting people's lives and well-being," said another protester.

The local civic group Stop Missiles at Fuji Association has also submitted a petition to the Japanese military, demanding that the Japanese government stop deploying missiles at Camp Fuji and re-examine its security policies.

"Missiles have been transported to Kumamoto and also deployed here, without any explanation. This is tantamount to deceiving us. We are extremely angry," said Hiromi Yamazaki, a representative of the organization.

"Since Sanae Takaichi took office, we have seen that Japan is heading toward a situation where it could start a war, so we must speak out. We don't want the younger generation to bear that kind of future. This is our wish," said Michiko Takahata, another protester.

Japanese rally against government's missile deployment