China’s economy started 2026 on a strong footing, with industrial output climbing 6.3% YoY and retail sales rising 2.8% YoY in January-February, both beating analyst forecasts, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Chinese New Year holiday spending boosted consumption, while resilient export demand — with outbound shipments surging nearly 22% — drove production gains; however, real estate investment continued to drag, falling 11.1% over the period, and urban unemployment edged up to 5.3%.

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