JAKARTA – China reported a 6.1% year-on-year increase in industrial production in April 2025, maintaining growth but at a slower pace than the 7.7% rise recorded in March.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of China, manufacturing output surged 6.6% in April, followed by a 5.7% rise in the mining sector. The highest growth was seen in high-tech manufacturing, which jumped 10%, and equipment manufacturing, which rose 9.8%.

Retail sales also climbed 5.1% in April 2025, but this marked a deceleration from the 5.9% growth seen in March.

In its official release, the NBS noted that retail growth was supported by increased sales of consumer goods, particularly household appliances, office equipment, furniture, and telecommunications devices.

China’s exports rose 9.3% in April, while imports edged up just 0.8%. However, for the January–April 2025 period, exports rose 7.5%, and imports fell sharply by 4.2%.

The NBS stated that the relatively stable indicators through April reflect the synergy of China’s macroeconomic policies. “Despite external shocks in April, the national economy maintained a new positive momentum,” the NBS said.

As reported by the South China Morning Post, Zhang Zhiwei, Chief Economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, projected China’s exports would continue strengthening in the second quarter, following US import tariff reductions, while fiscal spending remains robust.

“China’s economic momentum in the second quarter is likely to remain stable, in my view,” Zhang added. (ZH)