【新华解读】5月份消费引擎强势发力 国民经济稳中有进

Core Viewpoint - The strong performance of consumption in May has significantly contributed to the stability and progress of China's national economy, showcasing the immense potential of the Chinese market [1][9]. Consumption Performance - In May, China's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 41,326 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%, which is 1.3 percentage points higher than the previous month and the highest growth rate since early 2024 [1][2]. - The growth rate of 6.4% exceeded market expectations, which were around 5% [1][2]. - The month-on-month growth rate was 0.93%, marking the highest rate since May 2023 [1]. Factors Driving Consumption Growth - Several factors contributed to the acceleration of consumption in May, including the "old-for-new" policy for consumer goods, the "6·18" online shopping promotion, and favorable holiday consumption trends [2]. - During the "May Day" and "Dragon Boat Festival" holidays, domestic tourism increased significantly, with a 6.4% year-on-year rise in the number of travelers during the "May Day" holiday [2]. - Retail sales of major household appliances and communication equipment saw substantial year-on-year growth, with increases of 53%, 33%, 30.5%, and 25.6% respectively, contributing 1.9 percentage points to the total retail sales growth [2]. Economic Stability Indicators - From January to May, the retail sales of services increased by 5.2%, with May's service production index growing by 6.2% year-on-year [4]. - The unemployment rate in urban areas was 5% in May, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a stable employment situation [8]. - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a slight year-on-year decrease, but the core CPI, excluding food and energy, indicated a stable market supply and demand relationship [8]. Industrial Production and Trade - In May, the industrial added value for large-scale enterprises grew by 5.8% year-on-year, maintaining a relatively high growth rate despite a slight decrease from the previous month [6][7]. - The total import and export volume in May increased by 2.7% year-on-year, with exports growing by 6.3%, reflecting the diversified development of foreign trade [6]. Future Economic Outlook - The overall economic operation is expected to remain stable in the first half of the year, with GDP growth projected to exceed 5.0% in the second quarter [10]. - The government is advised to implement more proactive macroeconomic policies to stimulate investment and consumption growth [10][11].