The National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday that China's industrial production increased 6.8% year-on-year in March, exceeding expectations for a 5.9% rise, down from a 5.4% gain in January and February. It was the biggest rise since June 2015.

On a monthly base, the country's industrial production was up 0.64% in March.

Fixed-asset investment in China climbed 10.7% year-on-year in the January - March period, beating forecasts for a 10.3% growth, after a 10.2% rise in the January - February period.

Retail sales in China increased 10.5% year-on-year in March, exceeding expectations for a 10.4% gain, after a 10.2% rise in January and February.

These data shows that the Chinese economy seems to stabilise.

China's National Bureau of Statistics released its gross domestic product (GDP) data on Friday. The country's economy expanded 6.7% in the first quarter, in line with expectations, after a 6.8% rise in the fourth quarter of 2015. It was the slowest rise since 2009.