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China Data Release Calendar

China publishes its economic data on a predictable monthly rhythm, and its political calendar on an annual one. This is when each lands, with a countdown to the next.

Manufacturing PMI (NBS)

Usual timing: Last day of the month

Trade data (Customs)

Usual timing: Around the 7th

CPI and PPI

Usual timing: Around the 9th

Industrial output, retail sales, investment

Usual timing: Around the 15th

Quarterly GDP

Usual timing: Mid Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct

Two Sessions (NPC opens)

Usual timing: 5 March, annually

Central Economic Work Conference

Usual timing: Mid December, annually

Reading the schedule

Monthly indicators follow a fixed order: PMI at the turn of the month, then trade, then prices. Markets move most on the first of those, because it is the earliest read on the month just ended.
The Two Sessions set the year's growth target. It is the single most load-bearing date on this calendar, because almost every other figure is later judged against what is announced there. The December work conference is where the tone for that target is set, three months ahead of the number itself.
Dates can shift for Lunar New Year, which moves between late January and late February. January and February data are often published together for that reason, and comparing either month alone year-on-year is usually a mistake.
Timings here are the customary pattern, not a published guarantee. Confirm against the NBS release schedule before relying on a specific day.