March Economic Statistics

China's industrial output increased 19.6 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2010, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on April 15.

The figure is a 14.5 percentage points rise from the same period last year. In March, the figure rose 18.1 percent year-on-year.

China's industrial production recovered rapidly since the first quarter of last year thanks to the government stimulus package and national guidelines issued to support the development of 10 major industries. [Full Story]

After the mayhem, order seems to be returning to the nation's property market as the monthly price growth rate slowed in March, an indication that the government's tightening measures are finally bearing fruit.

Property prices in 70 of China's large and medium-sized cities rose 11.7 percent year-on-year in March, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on April 14.

That topped the 10.7 percent increase recorded in February and the 9.5 percent increase in January. It was also the biggest year-on-year increase for a single month after the NBS expanded its coverage ambit to 70 cities in July 2005. [Full Story]

China will continue to support foreign investment, Vice Commerce Minister Ma Xiuhong pledged on April 14 as the government released figures showing a 7.7-percent year-on-year rise in foreign direct investment in the first quarter.

FDI to China increased to $23.44 billion in the first quarter, Ma said.

"It has always been a major task for the Chinese government to provide a better environment and further facilitate trade and investment," Ma said at a press conference while discussing China's new foreign investment rules unveiled late Tuesday by the State Council, China's Cabinet. [Full Story]