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China's Q1 GDP Grows 5%, Police Arrest Credit Card Fraud Syndicate, Hong Kong Discusses Ride-Hailing Licenses
China's Q1 GDP Grows 5%, Showing Economic Recovery
China's National Bureau of Statistics announced that the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year. This figure is 0.5 percentage points higher than the fourth quarter of last year, indicating a good start that exceeded market expectations. The National Bureau of Statistics assessed that the national economy showed a 'favorable beginning' in Q1, with continued trends of recovery and improvement. Industrial output increased by 6.1% year-on-year, while the value added of the service sector grew by 5.2%. Furthermore, total retail sales of consumer goods in Q1 increased by 2.4% year-on-year, showing an improvement of 0.7 percentage points.
However, the National Bureau of Statistics noted that the external environment remains complex and full of uncertainties, with increasing geopolitical risks. Domestically, issues such as insufficient demand still persist, and the foundation for economic recovery is not yet solid. Future policy directions will focus on stable growth and quality development, strengthening the domestic market, and continuously unleashing consumption potential through increased employment and income.
Hong Kong Police Arrest Credit Card Fraud Syndicate, Beauty Salon Victims Identified
Hong Kong police have cracked down on 19 credit card fraud cases that occurred between December last year and April this year, arresting six individuals. The total losses exceeded HK$410,000, with the highest single case loss reaching HK$50,000. Police investigations revealed that all victims had visited a specific beauty salon in Mong Kok. A beautician at this salon is suspected to be a key member of the syndicate. The culprits would steal credit cards from victims' personal belongings left beside them during beauty treatments and hand them over to accomplices.
These accomplices then used the stolen credit cards to purchase high-value items such as electronics, mobile phones, tobacco, and health products, which were subsequently resold. The syndicate meticulously returned the stolen cards to their original place to prevent victims from immediately discovering the theft. Consequently, victims typically only became aware of the fraud upon receiving their monthly bank statements. Police urge citizens to remain vigilant about their personal belongings and to keep valuables close or secured in lockers.
*Source: YouTube: RTHK (2026-04-16)*
