INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Chinas economy grew faster than expected in the very first quarter of 2025, with GDP expanding by 5.4 percent year on year, buoyed by strong
retail sales, commercial output and federal government measures.The positive information drew favorable responses from worldwide economists,
though some warned that trade tensions and external pressures might weigh on future growth.Strong consumption and policy assistance drive
growthRetail sales rose 5.9 percent in March, the fastest rate in over a year and well above the 4.3 percent forecast
Industrial production likewise leapt 7.7 percent, signifying robust factory activity.Huang Zichun, an economic expert at Capital Economics,
wrote in a research study note cited by CNN that China is most likely to present even more measures to sustain domestic demand
Policy assistance ought to continue to shore up domestic demand over the coming months, she said, pointing to expanded fiscal spending and
prospective monetary easing.Xu Tianchen, senior economic expert at the Economist Intelligence Unit, informed Channel News Asia that the
first-quarter efficiency marked a very good start, crediting government procedures for increasing intake and investment.Investment and
commercial healing underwayFixed-asset financial investment, excluding property, showed signs of recovery, aligning with double-digit
development in excavator sales and usage, stated Xing Zhaopeng, senior China strategist at ANZ, in comments to Reuters
The information looks encouraging, as growth might help close the output gap, he stated, adding that strong domestic and external need
lowered the urgency for immediate financial easing.Chen Fengying, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International
Relations, told Global Times that technological innovation, economic sector self-confidence and foreign trade durability were crucial
development drivers.Future stimulus?Despite the favorable signs, experts remain careful about trade headwinds
Ryota Abe, a financial expert at SMBC in Singapore, informed Reuters that additional stimulus might be required to counter the effect of
United States tariffs.George Efstathopoulos, a portfolio manager at Fidelity International, suggested to Bloomberg that China may not need
a huge bazooka stimulus however must adjust policies based on trade developments.Data for specific sectors caught analysts by surprise, as
For energy, nuclear power generation surged over 20 percent in March, reflecting Chinas broadening capacity
Cross-border platforms like DHGate rallied after viral TikTok promotions, with logistics firm CTS International hitting 2 successive 10
percent day-to-day gains.
