Surge in output and investment

Industrial output rose 17.9 per cent year-onyear in August, Xinhua reported. Output of foreign-owned industries increased 20.7 per cent, of share-holding enterprises by 17.9 per cent and of state-owned firms by 14 per cent. Among the sectors showing the highest increases, computer output doubled, while mobile phone production was up 55 per cent and motor vehicles were 49 per cent higher. Investment in fixed assets in the first eight months increased 32 per cent from a year earlier. In August alone, it rose 31 per cent.