(ECNS) -- The number of registered private enterprises in China exceeded 57 million as of March 31, accounting for 92.3% of the total enterprises, data released by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) showed on Monday.
In the first quarter, 1.979 million new private enterprises were established across the country, a year-on-year increase of 7.1%, surpassing the average growth rate of the past three years, according to the SAMR.
In the same period, 836,000 new private enterprises in the sectors of "Four New Economy" (new technology, new business pattern, new development mode, and new industry) were established, accounting for over 40% of the total new private enterprises during the same period, with a year-on-year growth of 1.4%, the national top market regulator said.
Among them, the internet and modern information technology service enterprises saw the fastest growth, reaching 18%. As of March 31, China had 22.678 million private enterprises in the sectors of "Four New Economy", becoming a key driver of high-quality economic development.
Private enterprises have continued to enhance their core competitiveness through digital transformation, green and low-carbon transition, and global expansion, private enterprises have continued to enhance their core competitiveness, it said.
In the first quarter, 94,000 new private enterprises were established in the new-generation information technology industry, 46,000 in high-end equipment manufacturing, 254,000 in AI software R&D, and over 10,000 in the silver economy sector.
Meanwhile, a total of 3.949 million new self-employed businesses were registered nationwide, and the number of self-employed businesses in the tertiary sector reached 111 million, accounting for nearly 90% of the total number of self-employed businesses.
(By Zhang Dongfang)