China’s economy grew 6.4 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier, official data showed on Wednesday.

The growth of the second largest economy of the world is above expectations and steady from the previous quarter, helped by sharply higher factory production.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected growth to slow slightly to 6.3 per cent in the January-March quarter, the slowest pace in at least 27 years.

China’s trading partners and investors are closely watching for signs of improvement in its economy amid growing worries about sputtering global growth.

Initial March readings had offered some encouragement that the economy was starting to turn the corner after a rocky start to the year, but analysts say it is too early to call a sustainable turnaround.