昨日，国家统计局公布了今年第一季度经济运行数据。GDP同比增长6.1%，与上季度相比减少了0.7个百分点，与去年同期相比减少了4.5个百分点，其它经济数据保持平稳。国家统计局新闻发言人称“我们的经济朝着良好的方向发展，经济的总体表现比预期的要好。”

 

Figures just released by China's National Bureau of Statistics show China's GDP growth continued to slow to 6.1 percent in the first quarter. But other economic data indicates the economy is beginning to stabilize.

China's economy is slowing. The first quarter 6.1 percent year-on-year GDP growth rate down 0.7 percentage points from the previous quarter. And it's 4.5 percentage points lower year-on-year. 

Still, the NBS spokesman says it's not the whole picture.

Li Xiaochao, Spokesman of National Bureau of Statistics said "Positive changes have occurred in our economic situation. The overall performance is better than previously expected."

One positive news is the growth of industrial production has begun to stabilize, a sign of economic activity. Industrial production increased over 8 percent in March, compared to an average 4 percent in the first two months.

Driven by the central government's massive stimulus plan, fixed asset investment in the first quarter surged nearly 30 percent year on year. A similar rise took place in fixed investment in March in urban areas. 

Other positive signs include an acceleration in domestic consumption. Retail sales increased 15 percent in the January quarter. That's more than 3 percentage points higher year-on-year.
 
CPI, a major gauge of inflation, decreased just over half a percent in the first quarter. PPI, a measure of inflation in wholesale level, decreased over 4 and a half percent, but with decrease narrowing for three consecutive months.

The NBS spokesman also spelled out the remaining challenges for 2009.

Li Xiaochao said "Affected by the international financial crisis, the demand for exports has decreased significantly. This has led to profit slump for businesses, reduction in fiscal revenue and mounting employment difficulties."

China has set a GDP growth target of 8 percent for 2009.

The spokesman says the economy is still under huge downward pressure and difficulties in meeting the target.