Tokyo | China posted better-than-expected GDP growth in the first quarter, which Beijing said confirmed efforts to reboot the economy post-COVID restrictions are working, but some economists fear the momentum cannot be sustained.

A rebound in consumer spending and factory activity towards the end of the March quarter underpinned the 4.5 per cent increase in year-on-year GDP. The figure was higher than economists’ forecasts for growth of 4 per cent and puts Beijing on track to hit its annual target of about 5.5 per cent.