BEIJING - China's rail freight volume, an indicator of economic activity, registered steady growth of 14.6 percent to 2.76 billion tons in the first three quarters of the year, data showed Wednesday.

The pace slowed from 15.3 percent for the first eight months, dragged by tepid September growth of 9.2 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

However, the slowdown was offset by other freight transportation, and total freight volume rose 10.5 percent in the first nine months, slightly higher than 10.4 percent growth in the first eight months.

Steady growth in freight transportation served as a further sign of sound momentum for economic growth.

China's gross domestic product grew 6.9 percent in the second quarter, flat with the first quarter and above the government's annual target of around 6.5 percent. The country will release economic figures for the third quarter Thursday.

The manufacturing purchasing managers' index for September came in at 52.4, the highest level since May 2012.