Economy · April 2026

China's economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, hitting its annual growth target despite disruptions from the Iran war, with strong exports and industrial output offsetting a squeeze on crude supply that reduced refinery runs. Chinese automaker patents a voice-activated in-car toilet. Honda will debut a made-in-China electric vehicle in Japan, a first for a Japanese automaker. Huawei beats Apple and Samsung to launch the world’s first horizontally ‘wide’ foldable phone. Vietnam’s top leader To Lam continues his China visit, taking a 10-hour high-speed train ride that spotlights railway cooperation, according to a Chinese expert.