Beijing, 16 April 2026 (dpa/MIA) - China's economy grew more strongly than expected at the start of the year despite rising global tensions, preliminary official data showed on Thursday.

Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 5% in the first quarter from a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics of China said, beating analysts' forecasts of up to 4.8%.

The world's second-largest economy had recorded growth of 4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, its weakest pace since the end of Covid-19 lockdowns three years earlier.

China continues to face persistent economic challenges, including weak demand and oversupply in several sectors.

Beijing has sought to boost domestic consumption to support growth, but external risks such as the Iran conflict and rising costs, including higher oil prices, are adding uncertainty to the outlook.

Photo: MIA archive