China Exceeds Expectations with 5.3% Economic Growth in First Quarter

China’s economy exceeded expectations in the first quarter of the year, buoyed by government policies and an increase in demand. Data released by the government on Tuesday showed that the world’s second-largest economy grew at a 5.3% annual pace in January-March, beating analysts’ forecasts. This growth was also up 1.6% compared to the previous quarter.

Despite being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, China’s economy has shown signs of recovery. However, the country has faced challenges such as a slowdown in demand and a property crisis, which have weighed on its growth prospects.

The latest economic data came after China reported a decrease in import and export figures for March, as well as a slowdown in inflation following months of deflationary pressures. Industrial output for the first quarter was up 6.1% compared to the same period last year, while retail sales grew at an annual pace of 4.7%. Fixed investment for Q1 also saw growth at 4.5% year-on-year.

Economist Louise Loo of Oxford Economics pointed out that the strong economic performance in the first quarter was driven by manufacturing outperformance and increased household spending during the Lunar New Year holidays. However, she warned that weakness may be coming through post-holidays, and external demand conditions remain uncertain.

Looking ahead, factors such as the normalization of household spending, cautious stimulus measures, and the unwinding of excess inventory could impact growth in the second quarter. Policymakers in China have implemented various fiscal and monetary measures to support the economy, with Beijing setting an ambitious 5% GDP growth target for 2024.