China's light industry reports revenue, profit growth in first 11 months of 2024

China's light industry reported increased revenues and profits in the first 11 months of 2024, according to official data.

In the January-November period, the total operating revenue of light industrial enterprises above the designated size in China -- firms with annual business revenues of at least 20 million yuan -- reached 20.6 trillion yuan (approximately 2.81 trillion U.S. dollars), marking a 1.4-percent increase year on year, according to the China National Light Industry Council.

These companies earned 1.32 trillion yuan (approximately 180.31 billion U.S. dollars) in profits during the same period, marking a 9.1-percent increase compared to the previous year.

Data also showed that the added value of light industrial firms grew by 4.8 percent during the period from the previous year.

Among the 91 major light industrial products tracked by the National Bureau of Statistics, the output of 58 products recorded growth. Notably, industries such as paper-making, batteries, and bicycles maintained double-digit profit growth.

Exports in the sector reached 837.34 billion U.S. dollars, up 3.3 percent year over year.

China's light industry reports revenue, profit growth in first 11 months of 2024

China's light industry reports revenue, profit growth in first 11 months of 2024

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The high-speed railway connecting east China's Hangzhou City of Zhejiang Province and Hong Kong was put into use on Sunday, cutting travel time between the two cities to below seven hours.   Departing from Hangzhou West Station at 15:10 BJT, the G99 train passes six stations before arriving at 21:56 BJT at West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong. Passengers only need to scan their Exit and Entry Permit at the station to finish cross-boundary inspection.   "It takes just over six hours to arrive in Hong Kong, which is not that long. I have my Hong Kong-Macao Entry-Exit Permit, and all I need is to scan it on the machine over the counter," said Jin Siyu, a traveler taking the first train.   To further facilitate travelers on the route, Hangzhou West Station now allows passengers to extend their Entry-Exit Permit with self-service machines.

"It takes around two to three minutes to finish (the extension) on this machine. But we can only provide extension services," said Chen Na, a staff member at the police station at Hangzhou West Station Hub, under the Yuhang District branch of Hangzhou City Public Security.

Railway connecting Hangzhou and Hong Kong begins operation