China's retail sales surged by 4% in January-February compared to the same period the previous year, surpassing expectations and indicating strong consumer demand despite the impact of tariffs imposed by the US. Industrial output also saw growth, with a 5.9% increase, higher than analysts had predicted. Fixed-asset investment rose by 4.1% during the same period.

Economists believe that the retail data reflects positive momentum and suggests a need for further policy support to stimulate economic growth. Although initial reactions from traders were not overly enthusiastic, with stock indexes showing mixed results, the Chinese economy continues to demonstrate resilience amidst trade tensions.

As China adjusts to the challenges posed by trade wars, maintaining consumer spending becomes crucial in offsetting the slowdown in exports. Data shows that China has been front-loading exports to support industrial production, but concerns remain about the impact of tariffs on future export performance.