昨日，國家統(tǒng)計局公布了今年第一季度經濟運行數(shù)據(jù)。GDP同比增長6.1%，與上季度相比減少了0.7個百分點，與去年同期相比減少了4.5個百分點，其它經濟數(shù)據(jù)保持平穩(wěn)。國家統(tǒng)計局新聞發(fā)言人稱“我們的經濟朝著良好的方向發(fā)展，經濟的總體表現(xiàn)比預期的要好。”

?

Figures just released by China's National Bureau of Statistics show China's GDP growth continued to slow to 6.1 percent in the first quarter. But other economic data indicates the economy is beginning to stabilize.

China's economy is slowing. The first quarter 6.1 percent year-on-year GDP growth rate down 0.7 percentage points from the previous quarter. And it's 4.5 percentage points lower year-on-year.?

Still, the NBS spokesman says it's not the whole picture.

Li Xiaochao, Spokesman of National Bureau of Statistics said "Positive changes have occurred in our economic situation. The overall performance is better than previously expected."

One positive news is the growth of industrial production has begun to stabilize, a sign of economic activity. Industrial production increased over 8 percent in March, compared to an average 4 percent in the first two months.

Driven by the central government's massive stimulus plan, fixed asset investment in the first quarter surged nearly 30 percent year on year. A similar rise took place in fixed investment in March in urban areas.?

Other positive signs include an acceleration in domestic consumption.?Retail sales increased 15 percent in the January quarter. That's more than 3 percentage points higher year-on-year.
?
CPI, a major gauge of inflation, decreased just over half a percent in the first quarter. PPI, a measure of inflation in wholesale level, decreased over 4 and a half percent, but with decrease narrowing for three consecutive months.

The NBS spokesman also spelled out the remaining challenges for 2009.

Li Xiaochao said "Affected by the international financial crisis, the demand for exports has decreased significantly. This has led to profit slump for businesses, reduction in fiscal revenue and mounting employment difficulties."

China has set a GDP growth target of 8 percent for 2009.

The spokesman says the economy is still under huge downward pressure and difficulties in meeting the target.