GDP Growth Likely 4% In Q1 - Herald

China’s economy is likely to grow 4% y/y in Q1 this year, according to economists who reviewed Wednesday’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data for January/February, according to the 21st Century Herald. The start of the year has seen an uptick in the services industry as consumers increased spending after the lifting of Covid restrictions. However, consumption is still below pre-pandemic levels and a full rebound is dependent on policies that promote employment and increase incomes. The data showed exports and manufacturing lagging behind, and more policy support was needed to stabilise the recovery. Economists estimated annual property sales to grow by about 5% this year, with real estate investment remaining negative.