AFTER the Omicron variant-fueled outbreaks on China's economy dragged industrial production, retail sales and investments last month, a National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) official said May showed signs of improvement and growth in the second quarter of 2022 was expected to remain stable.

The statement came after analysts said the April-to-June period might see the economy hit rock bottom, with growth expected to be about 4 percent. But as recovery is expected to further advance in June and in the third quarter, the economy can still reach the government's annual growth target of about 5.5 percent.