China’s Economy Slows Sharply as Investment Resumes Declines

China’s growth slowed across the board in April with investment resuming declines, as booming exports no longer offset a deteriorating economy at home.

Fixed-asset investment unexpectedly shrank 1.6% in the first four months of 2026 from a year earlier, after rising 1.7% in the first quarter. Retail sales missed forecasts and rose just 0.2% in April, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.