People can be seen wearing masks as protective measure against the Covid-19 outbreak in Beijing. China s recovery has been led by export strength as factories raced to fill overseas orders and a steady pickup in consumption. (Representative image)
BEIJING: China s economic recovery quickened sharply in the first quarter from a coronavirus-induced slump earlier last year, propelled by stronger demand at home and abroad and continued government support for smaller firms.
Gross domestic product (GDP) jumped a record 18.3% in the first quarter from a year earlier, official data showed on Friday, slower than the 19% forecast by economists in a Reuters poll, and following 6.5% growth in the fourth quarter last year.