China's business climate index, a major measure of macro-economic outlook, rose by 2 points in the third quarter while the entrepreneur confidence gained 2.9 points over the previous quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced Wednesday.

The quarterly business climate index, based on a survey of about 20,000 Chinese firms, advanced to 137.9 points from 135.9 points in the second quarter, the NBS said in a statement on its website.

The industrial business climate index rose 1.1 points to 134.7 from the second quarter.

The business climate index rose in construction, transportation and mail, wholesale and retail, property, social services, and hotels and catering.

The business climate index levels in information transmission computer services and software remained unchanged from the second quarter.

The index ranges from zero to 200. A reading above 100 shows economic expansion, while a reading below 100 indicates contraction. The survey began in 1998.

The entrepreneur confidence index, a gauge of the understanding, views and projections of business people, rose by 2.9 points from the previous quarter to 135.9 in the second quarter, said the NBS.

Entrepreneur confidence levels in industrial, construction, transportation and mail, wholesale and retail, property, hotels and catering all rose in the third quarter.

Confidence levels in information transmission computer services and software were unchanged compared with the second quarter.

Social service entrepreneurs were less confident than in the second quarter.