China's light industry posted an 8.8-percent growth in added value in the first five months, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

In May alone, the industry's added value went up 10.4 percent for large and medium-sized businesses year on year.

Processed agricultural products, food manufacturing and beverage production maintained double-digit growths, gaining 16.7 percent, 12.4 percent and 13.3 percent respectively in the first five months.

Furniture production dipped 2.3 percent in the five months, while toy production rose 14 percent.

Shrinking exports led to sluggish performance of the electrical home appliances sector.

Only five out of 14 main categories reported growth, such as refrigerator, washing machine, rice cooker and water heater. Production of the rest nine categories, such as air-conditioner, electric fan and smoke ventilator, declined between 19.5 percent and 38.5 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2009)