New energy vehicles, which include hybrid and battery-powered cars, have seen sales surge in China despite a slump in the overall car market. Pictured here is an unnamed new energy vehicle factory in Jiangsu province on June 13, 2022.
Wan Shanchao | Visual China Group | Getty Images
BEIJING — China released economic data for May that topped muted expectations for a month hampered by Covid controls.
Industrial production rose mildly by 0.7% in May from a year ago, versus an expected 0.7% drop, according to analysts polled by Reuters. In April, industrial production unexpectedly fell, down by 2.9% year-on-year.
Retail sales fell less than expected, down by 6.7% in May from a year ago. Retail sales were estimated to have declined by 7.1% in May from a year ago, according to the Reuters poll. In April, retail sales fell by 11.1% from a year ago.
Fixed asset investment for the January to May period rose by 6.2%, topping expectations of 6%…
