China's financial data for May shows robust growth, bolstering real economy

China's financial data issued by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) Friday for May shows steady growth in total financial volume and sustained high growth rate in social financing, providing strong support for the real economy.

At the end of May, outstanding yuan loans amounted to 266.32 trillion yuan (about 37.13 trillion U.S. dollars), up 7.1 percent year on year, according to the central bank. In the first five months, household loans increased by 572.4 billion yuan, while loans to enterprises increased by 9.8 trillion yuan.

The M2, a broad measure of money supply that covers cash in circulation and all deposits, increased 7.9 percent year on year to 325.78 trillion yuan at the end of May.

The M1, which covers cash in circulation, demand deposits and clients' reserves of non-banking payment institutions, stood at 108.91 trillion yuan at the end of May, up 2.3 percent year on year.

The M0, which indicates the amount of cash in circulation, reached 13.13 trillion yuan at the end of May, an increase of 12.1 percent year on year.

The total social financing stock in China reached 426.16 trillion yuan at the end of May, marking an 8.7 percent increase year on year.

A total of 10.68 trillion yuan in new yuan-denominated loans was issued in the first five months of 2025, central bank data showed.

In the first five months, the newly added social financing amounted to 18.63 trillion yuan (about 2.60 trillion U.S. dollars), representing a 3.83 trillion yuan increase year on year.

Experts said the increased issuance of government bonds is driving the quick growth of social financing.

"This year, the issuance of government bonds has accelerated, with net financing exceeding 3.8 trillion yuan in the first quarter. There are also signs of increased issuance of new special bonds by local governments, with monthly issuance hitting a record high for the year. Together, these factors contributed to the rapid growth of social financing in May," said Dong Ximiao, chief researcher of Merchants Union Consumer Finance Co., Ltd.

China's financial data for May shows robust growth, bolstering real economy

China's financial data for May shows robust growth, bolstering real economy

China's financial data for May shows robust growth, bolstering real economy

China's financial data for May shows robust growth, bolstering real economy

Officials and exhibitors from Canada on Monday hailed the important role of the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in promoting international trade, saying it serves as a great platform for Canadian authorities and businesses to better understand Chinese consumers and market trends.

Canada is the Guest Country of Honor at the CICPE 2026, or the six CICPE.

The event, held in Haikou City of south China's tropical island province of Hainan from April 13-18, served as a key gateway for around 40 Canadian companies to access China's vast consumer market, with exhibitors showcasing a diverse range of products from premium cosmetics and health products to agriculture and pet food.

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of western Canada's Alberta province, said the expo helped him to understand the current market trends.

"It's really important for me to see what the market trends are here and to be able to maximize on those market trends. We're here to be able to have those conversations and see how we can be a better trading partner, and how we're going to be able to flow our high quality agricultural commodities into this country," said the minister.

Ji Hualei, a Canadian exhibitor who is launching a new wearable device at the expo, expressed his confidence in China's market potential.

"We have observed a clear shift of Chinese consumers' focus from one specific function of products to healthiness and sustainability. The CICPE provides an excellent platform for showcasing and launching our new products, and I think Hainan's zero-tariff policy will also offering us great resources," said the exhibitor.

Attending an event at the Canada Pavilion, Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu said more efforts will be made to boost trade and exchanges between his country and China.

"Very important for us to be at the show. As the Chinese consumer market grows, we're exploring more options to get more flights between China and Canada to build more people to people ties, and more tourism between the two countries," said Sidhu.

This year's CICPE is the first national-level consumer expo since the launch of island-wide special customs operation in the Hainan Free Trade Port in December 2025, drawing participation of more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions.

Since its launch in 2021, the expo has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China's vast market, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating over the past five editions.

Canadian officials, exhibitors hail role of Hainan consumer products expo in trade promotion