China Launches Media Event to Showcase Economic Progress Amid Recovery
The initiative highlights achievements from the 14th Five-Year Plan, with robust growth indicators from the economy in May.
BEIJING, June 15 — In a bid to highlight the significant advancements in economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China commenced a media initiative allowing domestic outlets to undertake themed interviews across key regions.
This event, organized by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, aims to explore the driving forces behind the country's development through on-site visits and in-depth reporting.
Starting from Monday, journalists will cover themes reflecting China’s achievements, with the first round of tours focusing on Beijing, Guangdong Province, and Anhui Province.
In parallel, official data released on June 16 indicates that China's economy continued to experience steady growth in May, bolstered by government policy measures addressing ongoing global uncertainties.
Key economic indicators, including industrial production, retail sales, investment, and services, showed improvements.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a year-on-year increase in retail sales of consumer goods by 6.4% in May, marking the strongest performance in nearly 18 months.
This growth represents a notable climb from a 5.1% rise in April.
The services sector also saw enhanced activity, with the services production index growing 6.2% in May, up from 6% in April, fueled by increased domestic consumption and holiday travel.
Industrial production expanded by 5.8%, with high-tech manufacturing and equipment sectors leading the way with respective gains of 8.6% and 9%.
On the investment front, fixed-asset investment grew by 3.7% from January to May, indicating consistent spending patterns across infrastructure and industry.
The average surveyed urban unemployment rate in China was reported at 5.0% in May, a decrease from 5.1% in April.
The youth unemployment rate has also shown signs of stabilizing, contributing to an overall positive trend in the labor market.
NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui credited the stability of these figures to ongoing macroeconomic policies designed to expand domestic demand and ensure market stability.
He noted that consumer goods trade-in programs, initiated last year and expanded in 2025, significantly bolstered retail sales in various sectors, particularly those related to household appliances and smart technology.
Fu highlighted that robust growth in new energy vehicles and consumer electronics serves as a catalyst for broader economic advancement.
Despite these encouraging trends, the NBS has cautioned about the volatile international environment and internal challenges associated with transitioning economic drivers.
China's gross domestic product recorded a growth of 5.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, with a target of approximately 5% for the entire year.
Fu emphasized the resilience of China's long-term economic framework, underlining the importance of innovation-driven growth and proactive policy measures to sustain progress.
The forthcoming half of the year is anticipated to maintain overall stability, supported by comprehensive government strategies aimed at ensuring the continuity of economic operations.
This event, organized by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, aims to explore the driving forces behind the country's development through on-site visits and in-depth reporting.
Starting from Monday, journalists will cover themes reflecting China’s achievements, with the first round of tours focusing on Beijing, Guangdong Province, and Anhui Province.
In parallel, official data released on June 16 indicates that China's economy continued to experience steady growth in May, bolstered by government policy measures addressing ongoing global uncertainties.
Key economic indicators, including industrial production, retail sales, investment, and services, showed improvements.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a year-on-year increase in retail sales of consumer goods by 6.4% in May, marking the strongest performance in nearly 18 months.
This growth represents a notable climb from a 5.1% rise in April.
The services sector also saw enhanced activity, with the services production index growing 6.2% in May, up from 6% in April, fueled by increased domestic consumption and holiday travel.
Industrial production expanded by 5.8%, with high-tech manufacturing and equipment sectors leading the way with respective gains of 8.6% and 9%.
On the investment front, fixed-asset investment grew by 3.7% from January to May, indicating consistent spending patterns across infrastructure and industry.
The average surveyed urban unemployment rate in China was reported at 5.0% in May, a decrease from 5.1% in April.
The youth unemployment rate has also shown signs of stabilizing, contributing to an overall positive trend in the labor market.
NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui credited the stability of these figures to ongoing macroeconomic policies designed to expand domestic demand and ensure market stability.
He noted that consumer goods trade-in programs, initiated last year and expanded in 2025, significantly bolstered retail sales in various sectors, particularly those related to household appliances and smart technology.
Fu highlighted that robust growth in new energy vehicles and consumer electronics serves as a catalyst for broader economic advancement.
Despite these encouraging trends, the NBS has cautioned about the volatile international environment and internal challenges associated with transitioning economic drivers.
China's gross domestic product recorded a growth of 5.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, with a target of approximately 5% for the entire year.
Fu emphasized the resilience of China's long-term economic framework, underlining the importance of innovation-driven growth and proactive policy measures to sustain progress.
The forthcoming half of the year is anticipated to maintain overall stability, supported by comprehensive government strategies aimed at ensuring the continuity of economic operations.
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