China's economy shows pick-up amid leadership transition

BEIJING (AFP) - China released a series of figures Sunday showing continued strength in the world's second largest economy as it prepares for new leaders tasked with sustaining the country's dramatic growth.

There was a double-digit increase in production at factories, workshops and mines for the first time since March, the National Bureau of Statistics said, a strong sign the country is shaking off the effects of the global economic slowdown.

The 10.1 per cent November increase follows rises of 9.6 per cent the previous month, 9.2 per cent in September and a three-year low of 8.9 per cent in August.

Overall growth has slowed for seven straight quarters in China. It hit 7.4 per cent in the three months through September, the weakest performance in more than three years.