In terms of consumption, Monday"s data also showed expanding market sales and faster growth in service consumption. The total retail sales of consumer goods and services online rose 6.6 percent year-on-year in the first four months. Online sales of consumer goods accounted for 25.0 percent of total retail sales. Service retail remained a bright spot, rising 5.6 percent year-on-year in the first four months, according to the NBS.

　　New consumption formats also emerged as growth drivers. For example, from January to April, the retail sales of unmanned stores increased by more than 20 percent year-on-year.

　　Yuan Yan, a statistician at the NBS, attributed the online sales growth to the advanced logistics system nationwide, which has made commercial circulation in urban and rural areas convenient.

　　China"s economy showed strong momentum in the first four months of 2026, with rapid industrial growth, steady consumption expansion, and exports returning to a fast track, Lian Ping, director of the China Chief Economists Forum, told the Global Times on Monday.

　　Raising China growth forecasts

　　China"s solid economic performance has won broad recognition from international markets. This month, several global investment banks have raised their 2026 China GDP growth forecasts, expressing confidence in the country"s economic resilience and high-quality development prospects.

　　In its latest mid-year outlook, Morgan Stanley upgraded China"s 2026 and 2027 real GDP growth forecasts to 4.8 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively, citing China as one of the biggest beneficiaries of global AI development and energy transition.

　　Morgan Stanley"s Chief China economist Xing Ziqiang highlighted a "K-shaped recovery," with strong performance in China"s exports and high-end manufacturing. Meanwhile, AI and energy investment will also drive economic growth.