Economy gains firmer footing in April, NBS says

China's economic recovery gained a firmer foothold in April, but rising commodity prices are beginning to erode growth and require targeted policy support, officials and experts said on Monday.

Industrial production remained buoyant in April while fixed-asset investment recovered at a faster speed. However, growth in retail sales softened last month, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

Fu Linghui, a spokesman for the bureau, said China's economy was on firmer footing in April and is well positioned for continued recovery into the second half of the year.