China's economy demonstrated remarkable resilience in the first quarter of 2025, achieving 5.4% year-on-year GDP growth to reach 31.875 trillion yuan ($4.337 trillion), according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. This quarterly performance – 1.2% higher than Q4 2024 – defied global economic headwinds and surpassed analyst projections.
Industrial production led the charge with a 7.7% March surge, while high-tech manufacturing grew 9.7% as Beijing prioritizes "new quality productive forces." The service sector expanded 9.9%, driven by information technology and software services. Equipment manufacturing recorded double-digit growth at 10.9%, signaling robust industrial upgrading.
Consumption played a pivotal role, fueled by festival spending and reviving cross-border travel. Strategic partnerships with ASEAN nations and Belt and Road Initiative participants boosted trade activity, while innovations like DeepSeek AI's open-source technology attracted entrepreneurial investment.
Market confidence strengthened through stable employment rates and price controls, with officials emphasizing continued development of "advanced manufacturing backbone" industries. The results highlight China's balanced approach combining macroeconomic stability with sector-specific innovation strategies.
