China’s economy suffered its biggest contraction since possibly the mid-1960s after it told millions of people to stay indoors as measure to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

China's consumer spending and factory activity fell more than expected in January and February as it fought a virus outbreak, prompting some forecasters to warn this year's economic growth might slump to its lowest level since the 1970s.

China's economic growth sank to a new multi-decade low in 2019 as Beijing fought a trade war with Washington and domestic consumer spending weakened, adding to headaches for the ruling Communist Party.