As the world's biggest energy importer and a heavily export-reliant economy, China is vulnerable to an oil shock already slowing trade, lifting factory costs and darkening the outlook for the year. BEIJING: China's economy picked up speed early in 2026 on strong exports and policy support , but cooling retail sales add urgency to Beijing's efforts to revive sluggish domestic consumption as the Iran war raises fresh risks to global demand and growth. The conflict in the Middle East has exposed a