The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) of China's manufacturing sector rose for the fifth straight month in April to 53.5 percent, up 1.1 percentage points from a month earlier.
China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, fell 1.2 percent year on year in March, the National Bureau of Statistics said Thursday.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday that government stimulus moves to shore up the economy had begun to produce results, and the economy is now in a "better-than-expected" shape.
While the financial crisis has shut down many foreign businesses along China's coastal areas, a growing number of investors are moving westward to seek opportunities.
Air China, the country's flag carrier, on Tuesday said it will continue to increase capacity 2009 and has seen signs of improvement in its passenger and cargo businesses.