Retail sales in China at the beginning of 2025, industrial data excels

The Chinese economy showed modestly during the first two months of the year, according to the data published by Monday National Office for StatisticsBeijing also repeated its plan to enhance local consumption.

Retail sales increased by 4.0 % from January to February last year, compared to 3.7 % growth on an annual basis In December and consistent with Reuters estimates.

Industrial production 5.9 % rose In the first two months of the year since last year, he slowed down 6.2 % in December, but faster than expansion by 5.3 % by analysts in a Reuters poll.

Investing fixed assets, reported on a general basis, It increased by 4.1 %, Overcoming the growth of 3.6 % estimated by economists, a noticeable jump from 3.2 % increase last year.

The data comes shortly after Chinese policy makers A wide -ranging plan revealed To stimulate home consumption, Beijing pledges are repeated to enhance population income and home spending.

The notification, which was published on Sunday, repeated the Beijing plan to achieve stability in the stock market, and to create a plan to support children’s care as well as enhance tourism.

While the high -level document seems to lack the concrete implementation details, it provides a glimpse of Beijing’s position towards dealing with some deep problems, such as slowing income growth and insufficient social safety network, said Lyn Song, chief economist in China in Engy, said about CNBC via email.

He added: “It is encouraging in the form of guidance to give policy makers a discreet look at these topics, and it should help to move in the long run to an economy consumed by consumption.”

The Chinese leadership took a huge task by maintaining the goal of growth “About 5 %” This year, the goal of which is more difficult to reach increasing trade tensions with the United States and pressure the firm shrinkage of the economy.

Economists say that Beijing will likely need to provide a stronger incentive to achieve the goal of growth for this year and to enhance local consumption to fill the hole that has been able to slow down. Exports contributed nearly a quarter of GDP in China last year.

In a sign of a continuous decrease in demand, China Consumer price inflation in February decreased less than zero For the first time in more than a year. Beijing has decreased the annual inflation goal to “about 2 %” – Light in more than two decades – From the top of 3 % in previous years, the step that was seen to show a degree of official acceptance of the current shrink environment.

As part of the expanded financial package, the Chinese leaders pledged in an annual parliamentary meeting earlier this month an additional 300 billion yuan ($ 41.5 billion) of very special treasury bonds to support support for consumers.

However, in addition to the trade program, current stimulus measures were barely targeting consumers directly.