China’s economy demonstrated stable momentum in April, reinforcing signs of a steady recovery despite ongoing global uncertainties and domestic pressures. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday revealed that key sectors of the economy continued to perform positively, underpinned by policy support and a resilient industrial base.
A major driver of this growth was the industrial sector. The industrial output of major enterprises grew by 6.1 percent year-on-year in April, with a modest 0.22 percent rise from the previous month. This robust performance reflects a sustained rebound in manufacturing activity and the growing strength of emerging industries, positioning China well in its push for industrial modernization.
The service sector also showed notable progress. The Index of Services Production rose by 6.0 percent year-on-year, fueled by strong demand in the financial and information service industries. This indicates both rising consumer confidence and the vitality of the digital economy.
Consumer spending remained a key pillar of growth. Total retail sales of consumer goods reached 3.7 trillion yuan (approximately $515.6 billion), marking a 5.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This surge highlights a gradual recovery in domestic consumption, supported by improving sentiment and continued government stimulus measures.
Investment also remained on a growth path. From January to April, fixed-asset investment totaled 14.7 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.0 percent year-on-year. Notably, high-tech manufacturing and infrastructure development were major contributors, reflecting China’s long-term strategy of economic transformation and sustainability.
Meanwhile, the urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2 percent during the first four months, unchanged from the previous year. This stability suggests that labor market conditions are being well-managed through targeted employment policies.
Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the NBS, stated that despite intensified external shocks in April, China’s coordinated macroeconomic policies were effective in sustaining momentum. He emphasized that moving forward, stabilizing employment, supporting businesses, and maintaining market confidence would remain top priorities to advance high-quality development and consolidate economic recovery.
