China’s economy builds early momentum in 2026 as risks mount

March 16, 2026 9:38 AM

China’s economy builds early momentum in 2026 as risks mount

China's factory output growth quickened in January-February while retail sales rebounded, in a steady start to the year for an economy confronting multiple challenges including the fallout from the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Industrial output rose 6.3% from the same period in the previous year, National Bureau of Statistics data showed on Monday, up from the 5.2% growth clocked in December. It beat a 5% expansion forecast in a Reuters poll and marked the quickest growth since September last...

China expects record 9.5 billion passenger trips during Lunar New Year

January 29, 2026 9:17 AM

China expects record 9.5 billion passenger trips during Lunar New Year

China expects a record 9.50 billion passenger trips to be made during the 40-day spring festival holiday travel period, higher than the 9.02 billion domestic trips last year, a state planning official said on Thursday. China has extended its official Lunar New Year holiday week to nine days for the first time, aiming to boost domestic consumption. It will be held from February 15 to February 23. Travel and tourism are among the sectors China is targeting in a new services-led consumption push ...