16/04/2021 16:18
China's economy grows 18.3% in post-Covid comeback
China's economy grew a record 18.3% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter last year.
It's the biggest jump in gross domestic product (GDP) since China started keeping quarterly records in 1992, BBC reports.
However, Friday's figures are below expectations, with a Reuters poll of economists predicting 19% growth.
They are also heavily skewed, and less indicative of strong growth, as they are compared to last year's huge economic contraction.
In the first quarter of 2020, China's economy shrank 6.8% due to nationwide lockdowns at the peak of its Covid-19 outbreak.
"The national economy made a good start," said China's National Bureau of Statistics, which released the first quarter data.