China's industrial profits surge 15.8% in March, marking fastest growth in six months despite Middle East tensions disrupting global oil markets. First quarter enterprise profits expanded 15.5% year-over-year, the strongest start to a year since 2017. High-tech manufacturing sectors led the charge, with equipment profits jumping 21% and semiconductor-related industries soaring 47.4%. The AI and chip boom drove exceptional gains across multiple subsectors: optical fiber makers surged 336.8%, optoelectronics manufacturers posted 43% gains, and drone makers jumped 53.8%. Raw material producers benefited significantly, with earnings rising 77.9% as oil refineries returned to profitability. Strategic emerging industries including aerospace, new energy, and next-generation information technology powered non-ferrous metal profits up 116.7%.
