China business confidence indices fall slightly

China's business confidence indices slid to 132.5 points in the first quarter of 2005, 2.2 points less than the fourth quarter of 2004 and 3.4 points less year-on-year, according to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Tuesday.

The confidence indices in China's mining and computer service and software sectors are 159.1 and 152.3 points, down 3.8 and 4.2 points less than the fourth quater of 2004.

The country's manufacturing and construction confidence indices are 130.8 and 121.9 points, down 3.6 and 9.3 points over the fourth quarter of 2004, and in the sector of production and supply of power, gas and water, confidence is down 8.0 points over the third quarter, to 130.1.

The confidence indices in transport, storage and postal service, real estate, accommodations and catering are 136.5, 134.6 and 141.8 points, up 9.1, 1.7 and 8.8 points.