China's value-added industrial output grew 5.4 percent year on year in the first half of 2026, with equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing driving the expansion, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.
In terms of sectors, the value-added output of the mining sector increased by 3.6 percent, while that of the manufacturing sector grew by 5.6 percent. The value-added output of the electricity, heat, gas and water production and supply sectors went up by 5.5 percent, the data showed.
Mao Shengyong, deputy head of the NBS, pointed to broad-based gains across mining, manufacturing and utilities, alongside standout growth in the equipment and high-tech manufacturing sectors.
"China's value-added industrial output rose 5.4 percent year on year in the first half of 2026. In terms of sectors, the value-added output of the mining sector increased by 3.6 percent, while that of the manufacturing sector grew by 5.6 percent. The value-added output of the electricity, heat, gas and water production and supply sectors went up by 5.5 percent. Notably, the value added of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing expanded by 9.3 percent and 13.3 percent year on year respectively, outpacing the overall industrial growth by 3.9 and 7.9 percentage points," Mao said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
The industrial output is used to measure the activity of large enterprises each with an annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan (about 2.95 million U.S. dollars).
China's industrial output up 5.4 pct in H1
Representatives of Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday began a new round of talks in Rome aimed at advancing the implementation of a ceasefire arrangement and addressing border security issues, according to local media.
The two-day closed-door talks are being held at the U.S. Embassy in Rome and involve diplomatic delegations from the two sides rather than military representatives.
According to media reports, the meeting marks the first round of talks since Israel and Lebanon reached a U.S.-brokered framework agreement in Washington in late June, aimed at paving the way for a final peace accord.
At the center of the discussions is the implementation of the so-called "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, which are currently under Israeli military control. Under the framework agreement, Israeli forces are to gradually withdraw from the areas, which will then be transferred to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Israel has made Hezbollah's disarmament a condition for completing the withdrawal, while Hezbollah insists that Israel must first fully withdraw from Lebanese territory.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Tuesday that Israel is ready to move forward with the implementation in these two "pilot zones," expressing hope that the discussions in Rome will advance the process.
However, media reports indicate that despite agreeing to the withdrawal plans in last month's accord, Israel has continuously delayed concrete implementation on the ground.
Against this backdrop, Lebanese President Michel Aoun has instructed his delegation to press Israel for an immediate pullout from the two "pilot zones," hoping the Rome talks will yield "tangible and concrete" progress in enforcing the agreement.
Israel, Lebanon hold new round of talks in Rome
Israel, Lebanon hold new round of talks in Rome
