China's economy got off to a strong start in the first quarter of 2026, with rebounding consumption, robust investment and resilient foreign trade providing fresh impetus to the sluggish global economic recovery, official data and expert analyses showed.

Against the backdrop of a fragile world economic recovery, China's steady performance has become a bright spot and a key stabilizer for global growth.

Consumption continued to be a major driving force. Driven by holiday spending and the national trade-in program, both goods and service consumption picked up noticeably. From January 1 to March 25, revenue in the homestay service sector rose 15.3% year on year, and that of residential services climbed 7.3%, according to invoice data from the State Taxation Administration.

Boosted by the extended Spring Festival holiday, tourism, culture and entertainment boomed, with revenue in travel agencies and related services up 14.3% and that in culture, sports and entertainment services rising 14.1%. The services business activity index stood at 50.2% in March, staying in expansionary territory.

Investment also provided solid support. Infrastructure investment maintained double-digit growth, fueled by accelerated special bond issuance and accelerated construction of major projects. Construction machinery indicators improved significantly: in the January-February period, domestic sales of truck cranes increased 2.38% year on year, and exports rose 9.3%.

Meanwhile, manufacturing investment maintained sound growth, with spending on machinery and equipment in information technology and scientific research services surging 15.8% and 27.2% respectively, showing strong momentum in industrial upgrading and equipment renewal.

Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, stated that on the whole, driven by profit recovery, policy support for equipment renewal and the expansion of high-end manufacturing, manufacturing investment is expected to continue a slight recovery.

China's foreign trade demonstrated strong resilience despite rising geopolitical tensions. The new export order sub-index of the manufacturing PMI rose 4.1 percentage points in March, pointing to improving external demand. Container freight rates also rebounded noticeably, reflecting stronger market demand. Driven by competitive advantages in the "new three" products, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar batteries, China's exports are expected to maintain rapid growth in the second quarter, analysts said.

Coinciding with the encouraging economic data, the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo is being held in Haikou, Hainan Province from April 13 to 18. As the first national consumption-themed event since the Hainan Free Trade Port launched island-wide special customs operations, the expo has attracted more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions, with 65% of exhibits coming from overseas, highlighting its international profile and cutting-edge consumption features.

Kuang Xianming, vice president of the China Institute for Reform and Development, pointed out that this year's expo fully demonstrates the vitality of opening up and development potential of the Hainan Free Trade Port after the launch of island-wide special customs operations.

"It will continue to encourage exhibitors to become investors and traffic flow to translate into growth momentum, support Hainan in building an internationally influential tourism and consumption center, and inject new impetus into China's consumption upgrading and high-level opening up," he said.

With expanding domestic demand, upgraded industrial chains and continuous opening up, China is set to remain a major engine for global growth, offering certainty and opportunities to a world in need of stable recovery.