BEIJING — China’s cargo transport for commercial purposes rose 7.4 percent to 4.24 billion tonnes in April, new data showed on May 29.

The growth was 1 percent higher than the first quarter, the Ministry of Transport said on its website.

Cargo carried on the country’s road network rose 8.9 percent, while that carried on waterways rose 2.2 percent.

In the first four months, total cargo transport for commercial purposes rose 6.6 percent from the same period of last year to 14.46 billion tonnes, the ministry said.

From January to April, cargo throughput at ports edged up 0.9 percent year-on-year to 4.21 billion tonnes.

In the same period, fixed asset investment into roads and waterways rose 8 percent to 540.6 billion yuan ($84.44 billion).

The investment represented about 30 percent of the target for the full year at 1.8 trillion yuan.