Profits at China's major industrial companies returned to growth in the first quarter, underpinned by the strengthening of high-tech sectors and pointing to strong economic resilience amid trade tensions with the United States, official data showed on Sunday.

Although external headwinds are poised to weigh on China's exports and the broader economy starting in the second quarter, economists said the country has ample policy tools and space to address both internal and external challenges. As the latest tone-setting Party leadership meeting suggests, policymakers are taking a forward-looking, effective and targeted macro policy approach to stabilize the overall economy.