China's business operations have shown signs of recovered stability and upward momentum, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been enjoying improved supply and demand conditions, official data showed.
According to official analysts, several leading indicators showed that industrial activity has been picking up.
"Since the beginning of this year, various policy measures have been continuously implemented and have yielded results. Many indicators reflecting the vitality of production and operation of enterprises are better than the same period last year, especially in terms of industrial production, which is showing continuous improvement. The vitality of pioneering enterprises and technological innovation enterprises is also constantly increasing," said Xing Yuguan, deputy director of the Big Data Analysis Division of the State Information Center's Big Data Development Department.
The country's SMEs reported stronger business performance in the first three months of this year, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Index showed.
Based on a survey of 3,000 SMEs from eight major industries, the index came in at 89.3 in the first quarter, up 0.2 points from the previous quarter, the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises said.
Experts said that SMEs are more sensitive to market demand and economic recovery.
"With the accelerated recovery of production and the sustained implementation of macroeconomic policies at an early stage, the vitality of business entities continues to improve. The situation of supply and demand for SMEs is continuously improving, and domestic demand maintains a strong recovery momentum. China's economy continues to pick up and improve.," said Liu Fang, director of the market and price research institute under the Academy of Macroeconomic Research.
China's business operations continue to stabilize, move upwards
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
