China’s industrial output rose 8.6% in January and February, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Retail sales – a key measure of consumer spending – also increased 11.8% from the year before, government figures show. The figures were less than analysts had been expecting, adding to fears of a slowdown. Markets in Asia fell on the news, with both Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and the Shanghai composite dropping. Fixed-asset investment, a measure of government spending on infrastructure, expanded 17.9%. The reporting period includes the Chinese Lunar New Year, which fell during both months. Threat continues The data comes as China’s leaders wrap up their parliamentary session, known as the National People’s Congress (NPC). During the session, the government unveiled plans to push ahead with a pilot programme of privately-owned banks, in order to help open up the financial sector. At the start of the NPC earlier this month, […]