China industrial output slows, unemployment rises

China's industrial output slowed during the first two months of the year as unemployment rose, official data showed yesterday, while some indicators showed a slowdown in the world's second largest economy stabilising. The figures from the National Bureau of Statistics come as Beijing and Washington appear to be nearing a deal to resolve their painful trade spat, and Chinese leaders convene in the capital for an annual parliamentary session.

Output growth at China's factories and workshops for the first two months slowed to 5.3 per cent on-year, from 5.7 per cent in December, a multi-year low and short of forecasts. "We must be aware that there are many uncertainties and instabilities from the external environment," said NBS spokesman Mao Shengyong. "The economy faces downward pressure," he told reporters.

China industrial output slows, unemployment rises

Chinas industrial output slowed during the first two months of the year as unemployment rose, official data showed yesterday, while some indicators showed a slowdown in the worlds second largest economy stabilising. The figures from the National Bureau of Statistics come as Beijing and Washington appear to be nearing a deal to resolve their painful trade spat, and Chinese leaders convene in the capital for an annual parliamentary session. Output growth at Chinas factories and workshops for the first two months slowed to 5.3 per cent on-year, from 5.7 per cent in December, a multi-year low and short of forecasts. We must be aware that there are many uncertainties and instabilities from the external environment, said NBS spokesman Mao Shengyong. The economy faces downward pressure, he told reporters.