Strong data shows recovery is on track

The world's third-largest economy looks to be well on the road to recovery, say analysts, following the publication of more strong economic data.

Spurred on by the government's massive stimulus package, industrial production rose in October by 16.1 percent compared to its level of a year earlier. It was the biggest growth in industrial output since March 2008, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said yesterday.

Retail sales - the main gauge of consumer spending and a key ingredient in boosting the economy - rose by 16.2 percent. The jump in retail sales was the biggest surge since December.