Higher power use signals economic recovery

CHINA'S economy showed further signs of recovery after figures showed power consumption in the country picked up in October.

The electricity use, a gauge of economic activities, rose 6.1 percent year on year last month, accelerating from September's 2.9 percent rise, the National Energy Administration said yesterday.

Electricity for industrial use rose 5.9 percent from a year earlier last month, up sharply from September's 0.9 percent gain.

China's electricity consumption climbed 4.9 percent in the first 10 months of this year compared with the same period of last year. The pace of increase was also higher than the 4.8 percent growth in the January-September period, the NEA said.

The power use data came after other indicators, including industrial output, retail sales and fixed asset investment, all showed signs of a revival.

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