Private investment in China increased in November, supported by a series of policies to encourage private enterprises.

It is thought that this increase shows a promising sign for the economy, despite some forecasts predicting a challenging early 2019.

From January to November, private investment increased by 8.7 percent year-on-year, up by three percentage points compared to the same period in 2017, data from the National Development and Reform Commission showed.

Private investment accounts for about 60 percent of overall investment in China.

Private-sector fixed-asset investment rose 8.7 percent in January-November, compared with an increase of 8.8 percent in the first 10 months.

The data comes at a time when the market expects headwinds in 2019, as challenges including weak demand and external turbulence persist.

The commission's investment department earlier this month held meetings aimed at supporting the private sector in a number of regions in southern China.

Officials said during the meetings that government would introduce measures to lower the barriers for private investment in key sectors and help ease financing pressure.