Chinese economy grows steadily in first 9 months

By People’s Daily

       China’s economy grew steadily in the first three quarters of the year. The growth rate stayed in a reasonable scope thanks to the country’s efforts to deepen reform and opening up and actively cope with risks and challenges.

In the first three quarters, China’s employment, energy consumption, and steel market maintained stability, according to statistics from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, National Energy Administration, and the China Iron and Steel Industry Association (CISA).

       11.07 million urban jobs were created in the first nine months, an increase of 100,000 over the same period last year. The registered unemployment rate in urban areas in the first three quarters was 3.82 percent, the lowest over the years.

From January to September, electricity consumption in China grew by 8.9 percent year-on-year, 2 percentage points higher than that from a year ago, which also registered a record high in six years.

       Coal consumption in electricity, steel, chemicals and construction material industries all increased, according to statistics. Apparent consumption of oil in the first nine months rose 3.4 percent year-on-year, the same figure as that of last year. The apparent consumption of natural gas in the first three quarters increased 16.7 percent year on year.

The steel industry achieved a supply-demand balance and an unprecedented steady momentum. In the first 9 months, the China Iron and Steel Association member enterprises reported combined sales revenue of 3.06 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.47 percent.

     The total profits of these enterprises stood at 229.96 billion yuan, up 86.01 percent year on year. The profitability approached that of industrial enterprises above designated size. The industry finally turned meager margins and even losses into profits.

     In its latest report released on Oct 31, the World Bank elevated China’s ranking on business environment up by 32 spots, saying the country’s reforms in relevant sectors are remarkable, fast and effective.

     According to the World Bank Group’s Doing Business 2019: Training for Reform report, China carried out a record number of reforms to improve business environment for medium and small-sized enterprises, and has made remarkable progress in 7 areas including starting businesses, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity and trading cross borders. The report raised China’s global ranking from the 78th to the 46th.

前三季度中国经济运行稳中有进

近日，人力资源社会保障部、国家能源局及中国钢铁工业协会发布数据显示，前三季度，中国就业形势、能源消费、钢铁市场等保持总体稳定态势。今年以来，全国上下不断深化改革开放，积极应对困难挑战，我国经济运行总体平稳、稳中有进，保持在合理区间。

就业形势总体稳定。前三季度累计城镇新增就业达到1107万人，比去年同期增加了10万人，提前一个季度完成了全年目标任务；三季度末全国城镇登记失业率3.82%，降至多年来低位。

全国能源消费继续回暖。前三季度，全社会用电量同比增长8.9%，增速比去年同期提高2个百分点，创6年来新高。电力、钢铁、化工、建材四大行业用煤均为正增长；石油消费相对平稳，表观消费量同比增长3.4%左右，增速与去年同期持平；天然气消费快速增长，表观消费量同比增长16.7%左右。

钢铁市场供需基本平衡，行业运行取得前所未有平稳态势。前三季度，钢企经济效益持续好转，中钢协会员钢铁企业实现销售收入3.06万亿元，同比增长14.47%；实现利润总额2299.63亿元，同比增长86.01%；销售利润率基本达到了全国规模以上工业企业利润率水平，全行业扭转了多年来微利甚至亏损的局面。

世界银行31日晚发布最新报告，把中国营商环境在全球的排名一次性提升32位，盛赞中国相关领域改革“令人惊叹地快速且有效”。在《2019年营商环境报告：为改革而培训》中，世行认定，中国在过去1年为中小企业改善营商环境实施的改革数量创纪录，并在开办企业、办理施工许可证、获得电力、纳税、跨境贸易等七个类别的改革中取得了突出进展，全球排名从上期的第七十八位跃升至第四十六位。