Sales for China's major excavator producers saw notable growth in March, adding to evidence that economic activity remains resilient.

The country's 25 leading excavator makers sold 44,278 units last month, up 15.7 percent from the previous year, data from the China Construction Machinery Association showed.

In breakdown, 41,884 excavators were sold in the domestic market, up 14.3 percent year on year. Exports of the equipment soared 47.9 percent to 2,377 units.

The major manufacturers sold a total of 74,779 excavators in the first three months this year, a 24.5-percent year-on-year growth.

Sales of digging machines are an indicator of the vitality of an economy as demand is usually backed by growth in mining and infrastructure development.

China sold a total of 203,420 excavators in 2018, surging 45 percent year on year, the association said.