News

Trend of stable economic performance remains unchanged in China

Published

4 years ago

May 21, 2022

By Lu Yanan, People’s Daily

“The pandemic made a big impact on economic operations in April, but the impact was short-lived and external. The fundamentals sustaining the steady and long-term growth of the Chinese economy remain unchanged. The overall trends of economic transformation and upgrading and high-quality development remain unchanged,” Fu Linghui, spokesperson of China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said at a press conference held on May 16.

The country has many favorable conditions for stabilizing the economy and achieving the expected development goals, according to Fu.

“With various policies and measures helping effectively coordinate anti-epidemic responses and social and economic development, the Chinese economy can overcome the impact of the pandemic, gradually achieve stable growth and pick up pace, and maintain stable and sound development”, Fu said.

Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases at home, China’s value-added industrial output dropped by 2.9 percent year on year in April, while the country’s index of services production declined by 6.1 percent and the total retail sales of social consumer goods fell 11.1 percent from the same period last year, according to data released by the NBS on the same day.

April witnessed frequent resurgence of local COVID-19 cases in many provinces across the country. As residents shopped in offline stores and ate out less, sales of non-essential goods and the catering sector were significantly affected. In particular, businesses above designated size in the seriously hit Yangtze River Delta region and the northeastern region of the country suffered a year-on-year reduction of more than 30 percent in their retail sales of consumer goods.

“Overall, the decline in consumption in April was mainly due to the temporary impact of the pandemic. The pent-up consumption potential will be gradually unleashed when the pandemic is brought under control and production and life return to normal,” Fu said.

Since mid-to-late April, domestically transmitted COVID-19 infections have been on the decline and the epidemic situation in northeast China’s Jilin province and east China’s Shanghai, two of the worst-hit regions in the latest COVID-19 outbreaks, is gradually improving, which is helpful in creating a favorable environment for consumption, according to Fu.

The country’s efforts to maintain stable macroeconomic performance and strengthen assistance for enterprises to stabilize employment and create more jobs will ensure people’s spending power, Fu said, adding that as policies to promote consumption take effect, the country is expected to continue its consumption recovery.

China’s industrial production was seriously affected by COVID-19 resurgence in April. Impeded transportation and logistics, among other factors, have led to a decline in industrial output, with the value-added industrial output falling by 2.9 percent year on year in the month and that of the manufacturing sector dropping by 4.6 percent.

The poor performance of the manufacturing sector was mainly the result of the impact of the pandemic on equipment manufacturing sector, including automobile industry, according to Fu, who disclosed that the added value of automobile manufacturing fell by 31.8 percent year on year in April.

Regionally, the Yangtze River Delta region and the northeastern region of the country saw their value-added industrial output drop by 14.1 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively, on a year-on-year basis, which was mainly caused by the suspension of production and work in some enterprises affected by the pandemic.

Although China’s overall industrial production slowed down in April, some industries, including energy, basic consumer goods and high-tech manufacturing, still maintained growth and showed strong resilience.

In April, the value added of the high-tech manufacturing sector rose 4 percent year on year. Electronics and communication equipment manufacturing industry, in particular, registered a 9.7-percent growth in added value.

“The trend of industrial upgrading remains unchanged, which mirrors that the trend of sound growth of China’s economy in the long term remains unchanged,” Fu pointed out.

Industrial production is under pressure, which mainly comes from insufficient market demand, weak connection between production and marketing, impeded industrial and supply chains, hindered production cycle, rising production costs as well as declined profitability, Fu noted, stressing that despite these difficulties, the country’s complete industrial system and sound supporting capacity remain unchanged.

With the pandemic being gradually brought under control, traffic and logistics will be smoothened and production cycle will be improved, Fu said. More importantly, the continuous implementation of policies on tax and fee reductions and assistance for enterprises will help shore up business confidence and improve business operations, eventually facilitating continuous recovery of industrial production, Fu added.

Since mid-to-late April, China’s epidemic situation has been generally improving. Some hard-hit regions in the country have been advancing the resumption of production and work in an orderly manner.

So far, nearly 50 percent of the over 9,000 industrial enterprises above designated size in Shanghai have resumed work.

Freight transport services, which were badly affected by the COVID-19 resurgence earlier this year, continued to recover in May, while indicators like electricity generation output also improved.

“Since the beginning of this year, macro-control policies have played a greater role. A new package of tax-and-fee policies have been effectively implemented with liquidity maintaining at a reasonable and ample level. Macro policies have provided greater support for industries facing challenges and key fields and will continue to yield fruits,” said Fu.

On the whole, the impact of the COVID-19 resurgence will not change the trend of stable economic performance in China or the Chinese economy’s strong resilience, huge potential, and broad space for growth, Fu said.

The implementation of various policies will help the national economy recover at a faster pace and realize stable operation and growth, he said.

News

“Nigeria’s Biggest Ever Coalition, Civil Groups, Professionals, Labour, Artisans, Declare for Bola Tinubu”

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

milcah

In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.

The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.

Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.

Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.

As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.

News

How ISWAP killed Army Col. Six others in Borno.

Published

5 days ago

April 14, 2026

Our Reporter

☆☆☆As Troops Foil Series of Ambushes.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under operation Hadin Kai have foiled a series of ambush by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (I SWAP) terrorist along the Monguno in Borno state.

Islamic state of West Africa province (ISWAP) have attacked the Nigerian army from Monguno 242 Battion Barrack in Borno State on their way to reinforce the camp.

A serving Nigerian Army Colonel was reportedly killed in an ambush by insurgents in Monguno, Borno State, during a reinforcement mission

Source added said that colonel I.A. Muhammad was ambushed by ISWAP and killed along with four other soldiers.

Community confirmed that the troops who were on a fighting patrol as part of operation,came under fire from suspected terrorists

As of the time of felling this report, there has been no official statements from the Nigerian Army regarding the accident.

News

Dogara Felicitates Dangote at 69, Applauds His Enduring Impact on Africa

Published

1 week ago

April 11, 2026

milcah

Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), has joined Nigerians and the global business community in celebrating Alhaji Aliko Dangote on his 69th birthday. In a detailed tribute, Dogara described Dangote as “a visionary whose life’s work has become a cornerstone of Africa’s economic transformation.”

Dogara emphasized that Dangote’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience and foresight. From humble beginnings, he built the Dangote Group into Africa’s largest conglomerate, with investments spanning cement, sugar, salt, fertilizers, and the landmark Dangote Refinery. These ventures, Dogara noted, have not only revolutionized industries but also created millions of jobs, strengthened Nigeria’s economy, and reduced dependence on imports. “Alhaji Dangote is not just an entrepreneur; he is a nation-builder whose vision has redefined what is possible for Nigeria and Africa,” Dogara said.

He pointed out that the Dangote Refinery, in particular, represents a turning point in Nigeria’s energy sector, offering the promise of self-sufficiency in petroleum products and positioning the country as a major player in global energy markets. “This singular achievement underscores his commitment to solving Africa’s most pressing challenges through bold and innovative solutions,” Dogara remarked.

Beyond his industrial empire, Dogara praised Dangote’s philanthropy through the Dangote Foundation, which has invested heavily in healthcare, education, and humanitarian relief. From building hospitals and funding scholarships to providing aid during crises, Dangote’s generosity has touched countless lives across the continent. “His philanthropy reflects a deep commitment to humanity. He has shown that true greatness lies not only in building industries but also in uplifting lives,” Dogara added.

Dogara also reflected on the inspirational power of Dangote’s story, stressing that his rise from modest beginnings to global prominence serves as a beacon of hope for young Africans. “His journey proves that with hard work, faith, and determination, Africans can build enterprises that rival the best in the world. He remains a shining example of African excellence,” he concluded.

As Dangote celebrates his 69th birthday, his legacy continues to resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders. His life stands as a testament to the transformative power of vision, enterprise, and compassion—an enduring reminder that Africa’s future can be defined by innovation, resilience, and generosity