by XIN Yuan

China's industrial output picked up in the first two months of 2026, driven by strong growth in high-tech manufacturing, official data showed.

Accordign to data released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), value-added industrial output from enterprises above designated size rose 6.3% year on year in January–February, up from 5.2% growth recorded in December.

By sector, output in mining rose 6.1%, manufacturing increased 6.6%, and utilities grew 4.7%.

Several advanced manufacturing segments posted strong gains. Output in transport equipment manufacturing rose 13.7%, while electronics manufacturing climbed 14.2%.

Production in high-tech manufacturing rose 13.1% year on year, more than double the pace of overall industrial growth.

WANG Qing, chief macro analyst at Golden Credit Rating, told Jiemian News that the boost from exports to manufacturing output could weaken if export growth slows, while the ongoing adjustment in China's property market may also weigh on industrial production.

However, policy support aimed at boosting domestic demand could help stabilize activity. Wang expects fixed-asset investment growth to rebound to around 2.5% in 2026, from -3.8% in 2025.

Policies aimed at fostering new growth drivers and strengthening technological self-reliance are likely to keep output growing quickly in sectors such as semiconductors, new-energy vehicles and industrial robots, he added.

China has also pledged further support for manufacturing upgrades. The government work report said 200 billion yuan in ultra-long-term special treasury bonds would be allocated to support large-scale equipment renewal and industrial upgrading.