China's economy grew at a faster-than-expected 6.4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday.

The growth was unchanged from that registered in the fourth quarter of last year.

The country's industrial output posted steady growth in the same period, up by 6.5 percent year-on-year, compared with 5.7 percent in the previous quarter, official data showed.

Fixed-asset investment growth was 6.3 percent in the first quarter, compared with 6.1 percent in the first two months, according to the NBS.

Retail sales increased by 8.3 percent year-on-year in the same period, compared with 8.2 percent in the first two months, the data showed.

The bureau said that "positive factors" have increased regarding economic growth despite external uncertainties and persisting downward growth pressure.