Chinese officials say the economy is growing steadily in the face of pressure

Comments from an official at China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

• Productivity demand grew steadily
• employment situation generally stable
• economy grew steadily in face of pressure, continues developing in an upward trend
• China actively diversifying, expanding trade with Belt and Road initiative nations

The comments follow the April economic data release, a mixed bag:

• China Industrial Output April 2025 +6.1% y/y (expected 5.5%, prior +7.7%)

As an aside, from the data something that might interest oil traders:

• China’s April apparent oil demand falls 5.6% y/y