China's economy sees 4.7% GDP rise and surge in European tourism in first half of 2026

China reported a 4.7% year‑on‑year increase in gross domestic product for the first half of 2026, reaching 69,570.4 billion yuan on a constant‑price basis. Growth was led by industrial sectors, with equipment manufacturing up 9.3% and high‑tech processing up 13.3%, while services added 5.2%. Retail turnover rose 2.7% and foreign trade volume grew 16.9%, driven by a 13.4% rise in exports.

During the same period, foreign tourist arrivals hit 22.9 million, of which 17.8 million entered visa‑free, a 20.4% increase over the previous year. European visitors grew especially fast, with arrivals via Shenzhen airport up 31.6% and Europe accounting for 30% of the top 20 source markets, reflecting a 275% jump in bookings compared with last year. Tax‑refund incentives and other facilitation measures have boosted travel and spending by overseas tourists.