China's economy shows stable growth in April

China's economy showed steady momentum in April, maintaining growth despite continued external and domestic pressures, according to key economic indicators released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday.

In April, the industrial output of major enterprises rose by 6.1 percent year on year, with a 0.22 percent increase from the previous month. The strong industrial performance was a major contributor to overall economic stability, highlighting the continued recovery of the manufacturing sector and the growing role of emerging industries.

The service sector also expanded, with the Index of Services Production increasing by 6.0 percent year on year. This growth reflects sustained demand in finance and information services, further signaling consumer and business confidence.

Consumer activity remained robust. In April, total retail sales of consumer goods reached 3.7 trillion yuan ($515.6 billion), a year-on-year increase of 5.1 percent. The figures suggest a gradual strengthening of domestic demand, driven by policy support and improving consumer sentiment.

From January to April, fixed-asset investment stood at 14.7 trillion yuan, marking a 4.0 percent increase year on year. Investments in high-tech manufacturing and infrastructure played a key role in supporting long-term economic resilience and transformation.

The average surveyed urban unemployment rate for the first four months of the year was 5.2 percent, remaining unchanged from the same period last year. This indicates a generally stable employment situation, with targeted policies helping to maintain labor market stability.

Overall, while external shocks intensified in April, coordinated macro policies proved effective, and key indicators showed steady and relatively rapid growth, said Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the NBS. Looking ahead, priority will be given to stabilizing employment, businesses, market, and expectations to ensure solid progress in high-quality development and further boost the momentum of economic recovery, he added.