New Delhi, April 17 -- China's economy got off to a solid start in 2026, with its GDP growing 5% in the first quarter, according to official data released on Thursday. This exceeded the expectations of economists and struck the top-end of the 4.5-5% growth aim set by Beijing for the full year.

Driving the expansion were China's robust exports for the quarter, although its March shipments faced severe headwinds. While China has large buffer stocks of oil and diverse sources of supply, the war in West Asia has been a problem for it. Durable peace would suit its economy.

Since its domestic consumption has been sluggish, it needs trade disruptions to end and global demand to recover. That would make it easier to reach its 2026 GDP growth go...