China's light industry slower

China's light industry saw its output grow slower in the first five months as sluggish demands both at home and abroad weighed down production. The output of major light industry enterprises totaled 6.69 trillion yuan (1.06 billion US dollars) in the Jan.-May period, an increase of 18.4% from a year earlier, China's (Xinhua) news agency reported citing data with National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the nation's top economic planner. But the rise was down 1.6% and 11.3%, respectively, from those recorded in Jan.-April period and the same period last year. The NDRC said the increase was supported by vigorous growth in farm and sideline products processing, food manufacturing, brewing and soft-drinks manufacturing, which amounted to 44.6% of the sector's output. In May, light industry output rose 15.7% year-on-year to 1.48 trillion yuan, 1.2% lower than growth in April. (QNA)