Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that profits of major industrial firms in the Chinese mainland climbed by 0.9% year on year in the first eight months of 2025, reversing a 1.7% drop recorded through July. This marks the end of five straight months of decline as firms benefit from renewed policy support and stabilizing markets.
In August alone, industrial profits surged 20.4% month on month, a dramatic turnaround from July’s 1.5% dip. NBS statistician Yu Weining credits this momentum to effective macro policies, the deepening of a unified national market, and a lower comparative base from the previous year.
Operating income for these firms rose 2.3% over the same eight-month period, maintaining the growth pace seen through July. Notably, revenue growth accelerated to 1.9% in August—up one percentage point—helping pave the way for improved margins and stronger bottom lines.
The equipment manufacturing sector played a pivotal "ballast" role, posting a 7.2% profit increase in the first eight months and lifting overall industrial gains by 2.5 percentage points. This performance underscores the sector’s critical contribution to economic resilience.
Despite these gains, the Chinese mainland’s authorities acknowledge challenges ahead, including a complex external environment and insufficient domestic demand. Expanding consumption, fine-tuning competition regulations, and fostering sustainable growth will be key as the industrial landscape navigates its next phase of recovery.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts tracking economic trends, the numbers signal cautious optimism: the Chinese mainland’s industry is mounting a comeback, but the story of its sustained rebound depends on policy precision and market confidence.
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Profits of China's major industrial firms up 0.9% in first 8 months
cgtn.com
