China Q1 economic growth slows to 7.4%

However, the industrial output rose 8.8% in March

China's annual economic growth slowed between January and March 2014 to 7.4% from 7.7% in the previous three months, but beat market expectations for growth of 7.3%, data showed on Wednesday.

Other data released alongside GDP showed industrial output rose 8.8% in March from a year ago, versus expectations of a rise of 9% in a Reuters poll.

Retail sales in March rose 12.2% on a year ago, above expectations for a 12.1% rise.

Fixed-asset investment rose 17.6% in January-March from the same period a year earlier, versus a forecast for an 18.1% rise. The government only publishes cumulative investment data.