China's building materials sector continues steady growth

The output of China's building materials sector expanded steadily in the first quarter, official data showed.

Major building materials all posted a rise in their output. The output of cement and flat glass registered a year-on-year growth of 9.4 percent and 6 percent, respectively, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

The price of cement increased by 10.2 percent year on year in March, while flat glass dropped 5.9 percent.

The data came as the property sector, a major consumer of cement and flat glass, saw growing investment in the first three months.

China's real estate investment increased 11.8 percent year on year in the first quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The growth was faster than the 11.6 percent expansion recorded in the first two months.