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Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 December, 2003, 06:31 GMT
China's output surges in November
Chinese factory
Domestic as well as export demand is helping China's economy
China's industrial output surged last month, driven by increasing demand for steel, cars and electronic equipment.

Factories made 17.9% more goods in November compared with the same month a year earlier, official figures showed.

Computer production led the way, jumping 75%, with auto output up 33% and steel output 23% higher.

Economic reforms, low wage costs and a massive domestic market have helped turn China into the world's fastest expanding major economy.

Criticism

Growth has been above 7% in China for many years.

That success has brought criticism, however, and Premier Wen Jiabao recently discussed trade with US President George W Bush in Washington.

China's fixed exchange rate policy is blamed for undervaluing the yuan, prompting a surge of cheap exports that US critics say has claimed 2.7 million US manufacturing jobs since 2000.

To protect its producers, the US has imposed tariffs on Chinese-made bras, knitwear and dressing gowns.

China retaliated by delaying purchases of US farm products.


WATCH AND LISTEN
BBC World Service business reporter Roger Harvey
"Growth has been above 7% in China for many years."



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