BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China's corporate credit performance has sustained a solid and sound trend as an index measuring corporate credit has stayed within a historically high range, according to data released by the State Administration for Market Regulation.

The China Enterprise Credit Index, issued by the administration, stood at 162.05 in the first quarter of 2026, edging down 0.13 points from the fourth quarter of 2025, yet rising 0.39 points from the third quarter of last year, latest data has shown.

Overall corporate credit has remained within a historically high range, the administration said, noting that the reading hit 162.26 in March 2026, climbing 0.17 points month on month.

The proportion of enterprises with low credit risks further expanded amid heightened regulatory efforts, the administration revealed.

China will establish an institutional framework for the comprehensive evaluation of corporate credit status, which will strengthen the fundamental role of public credit evaluation while promoting its integration with market assessment, a government document released earlier this month said. ■