BEIJING — The output of China’s building materials sector expanded steadily in the first quarter, official data showed.
Major building materials all posted a rise in their output. The output of cement and flat glass registered a year-on-year growth of 9.4 percent and 6 percent, respectively, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.
The price of cement increased by 10.2 percent year-on-year in March, while flat glass dropped 5.9 percent.
The data came as the property sector, a major consumer of cement and flat glass, saw growing investment in the first three months.
China’s real estate investment increased 11.8 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The growth was faster than the 11.6 percent expansion recorded in the first two months.