China's factory output posts first increase in 2020, consumption still weak

China's industrial output rose 3.9% in April from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, expanding for the first time this year as the world's second-largest economy slowly emerged from its coronavirus lockdown. That was faster than the 1.5% increase forecast in a Reuters poll on analysts and followed a 1.1% fall in March.

After months of lockdowns, China is slowly reopening its economy as the coronavirus outbreak on the mainland has come under control. However, it continues to face major challenges in recovery as the pandemic has now swept the globe, affecting other major economies and trading partners.

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