The rise in power consumption is among the positive signs emerging for the economy, said a minister.

Power consumption in February rose 4 percent year-on-year, reversing the declining trend of the past few months and helping narrow the fall in consumption to 3.7 percent in the two months to February, according Li Yizhong, the industry and information technology minister.

Li said at a news conference during the annual session of the National People's Congress on March 10 that the rise in power consumption is among the “positive signs emerging for the economy,” but added that “the situation remains grim and the industrial sector is still in a very difficult situation.”

 Power consumption fell 8.7 percent in December and 7.5 percent in November at the height of the economic dislocation in China triggered by the global financial crisis.

Li did not give a figure for January. The government typically skips January reporting to avoid potential data distortions if the Lunar New Year takes place in that month, as Chinese economic activity effectively shuts down for the weeklong holiday.