BEIJING — China's fixed-asset investment saw steady growth in the first four months of this year, official data showed on May 16.

Fixed-asset investment jumped 6.8 percent from a year earlier to 15.35 trillion yuan (about $2.26 trillion) in the first four months, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

The growth slowed from a 9.3-percent increase registered in the first quarter. In April, fixed-asset investment edged down 0.82 percent from a month earlier.

From January to April, fixed-asset investment from the private sector increased 5.3 percent from a year earlier to 8.69 trillion yuan.

Despite the resurgence of COVID-19 infections, China's investment in infrastructure construction rose 6.5 percent year-on-year in the first four months of this year.

Investment into the high-tech manufacturing and high-tech services sectors saw notable growth, jumping 25.9 percent and 13.2 percent year-on-year in the period.

The healthcare and education sectors also saw investment rise 24.9 percent and 12.5 percent during the period.

Investment has traditionally been a key engine for growth. In the face of COVID-19 flare-ups and increasing downward pressure on the economy, China has underlined the role of effective investment to bolster growth.