Output in China's machinery industry soared 32 percent year on year to 1.5 trillion yuan (US$196 billion) in the first quarter, according to the latest report from the National Development and Reform Commission.

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The machinery industry is expected to continue expanding in the second quarter, but at a slower pace, said the report.

China exported 239 billion yuan of machinery in the first quarter, up 39.5 percent on the same period of last year.

In the first two months, the industry saw revenues surge 32 percent to 832 billion yuan and profits more than double to 42 billion yuan, said the report.

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