China's economy gets off to strong start in 2017 as investment rebounds

Beijing

CHINA issued a raft of upbeat data on Tuesday showing the economy got off to a strong start to 2017, supported by strong bank lending, a government infrastructure spree and a much-needed resurgence in private investment.

Solid growth is welcome news for China's policymakers as they turn their focus to containing risks from a sharp build-up in debt ahead of a major leadership reshuffle later this year.

But economists are not sure how long the pace can be sustained as the central bank takes a tighter stance on credit and exporters brace for a surge in US protectionism.

Fixed-asset investment expanded more strongly than expected in the first two months of the year as growth in private inve…