China's Q1 GDP Grows 5% as High-Tech Manufacturing Jumps 12.5%
Updated
Updated · Global Times · Jun 26
China's Q1 GDP Grows 5% as High-Tech Manufacturing Jumps 12.5%
3 articles · Updated · Global Times · Jun 26
Summary
China’s economy expanded 5% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, reaching the upper end of the government’s full-year target range of about 4.5% to 5%.
High-tech manufacturing led the momentum, rising 12.5% in the first three months, with output of 3D-printing materials up 54%, lithium-ion batteries 40.8%, and industrial robots 33.2%.
AI-linked industries also accelerated, as value added in specialized electronic materials and integrated-circuit manufacturing increased 32.5% and 49.4%, respectively.
Opening-up measures remained part of the growth story: China expanded pilot free trade zones to 23, while Hainan added 1,240 foreign-funded enterprises through May 31, up 37.62% from a year earlier.
Despite trade-war pressure and Middle East tensions, the report said China is positioning itself as a stabilizer for the global economy, contributing about 30% of worldwide growth.