China's investment in many industrial sectors underwent a decline in the first nine months of this year, but input in the transportation sector kept a strong upward trend, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Latest figures from the bureau showed that total investment in industry between January and September dropped 4.9 percent year-on- year to 376.79 billion yuan (about 45.5 billion US dollars).

In the meantime, 198.36 billion yuan went to the energy sector, down 7.4 percent from the same 1998 period, and a sum of 43.96 billion yuan was directed to machinery and electronics sector, dipping 1.3 percent.

Transportation, postal and telecommunications services continued to enjoy a considerable inflow of funds. Investment in the sector during the period hit 266.21 billion yuan, growing 5.5 percent on an annual basis.

Light industry and textile industry also witnessed a decline of investment in the nine months. Funds channeled to the sectors amounted to 48.49 billion yuan, down 5.3 percent.