Consumer spending fell in China for the first time since December 2022, during the COVID pandemic era. The May figure is 0.6 percent lower than that of last May, according to new data released by Beijing's National Bureau of Statistics. Investments also contracted further, by

China's April retail sales grew just 0.2% YoY, the weakest since December 2022, as HSBC slashes its 2026 forecast and GDP growth projections fall.

But while traditional industries are mired in a downturn, hi-tech firms look to expand – many through direct financing.

May figure misses expectations as fading stimulus, property slump stifle demand

China's economy shows a worrying split in May. While factories are humming with strong exports, consumer spending took a hit, with retail sales falling for the first time in over…