PEKIN (Reuters)-Industrial production in China has slowed down over the period January-February, while retail sales have accelerated, show official data published on Monday which highlight a contrasting year for the second world economy, while Beijing faces increased commercial pressures from the United States with vast surcharge.
A range of customs duties decided since his return to power in January by American president Donald Trump against Washington’s main trade partners, including China, threatens to upset international trade and strengthens Beijing need to take additional stimulus measures to make the rebound of his economy viable.
Chinese decision -makers set for 2025 a growth target located “around 5%” that analysts consider ambitious given the pressure on exports, consumption at half mast and the real estate crisis.
A report communicated earlier this month shows a significantly lower than anticipated Chinese export growth.
According to data from the National Statistics Office (BNS) published on Monday, industrial production increased in annualized pace of 5.9% over the first two months of the year, marking a slowdown after +6.2% in December but beating the consensus which appeared at +5.3%.
Retail sales, which serve as a revealer on consumption, increased by 4.0% over a year in January-February, after an increase of 3.7% in December. It is a progression in accordance with the median expectations of analysts.
The consumption of Chinese households is traditionally stimulated over the first two months of the year by the lunar New Year festivities.
(Kevin Yao, Ellen Zhang and Yukun Zhang; Jean Terzian)
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