China's National Bureau of Statistics reported 5.0% year-over-year GDP growth for Q1 2026 on April 16, surpassing a Reuters poll of 4.8% and up from Q4 2025's 4.5%. Industrial output and exports showed gains, while retail sales fell short of expectations. The reported Iran war in late February 2026 has prompted concerns in energy-importing nations like Thailand, where Middle East supplies account for nearly half of oil and gas needs.