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China economy: Third quarter growth misses expectations China economy: Third quarter growth misses expectations
(about 2 hours later)
China's economy grew at its slowest pace since the early 1990s in the third quarter, official figures showed. China's economy grew at a slower pace than expected in the third quarter as it struggled with a US-led trade war and softer domestic demand.
In the three months to September, the economy expanded 6% from a year earlier, falling just short of expectations for 6.1% growth. In the three months to September, the economy expanded 6% from a year earlier, official figures showed.
The slowdown comes as China battles a raft of economic challenges including a damaging trade war with the US. The result fell just short of expectations for 6.1% growth for the period.
The government has moved to boost the economy with various measures including tax cuts. The slowdown comes despite government efforts to support the economy, including measures such as tax cuts.
The 6.1% year-on-year growth rate was the slowest pace of expansion since at least 1992, according to Reuters data. The latest figures mark a further loss of momentum in the world's second largest economy, which had already seen growth languishing at its slowest pace in around three decades.
The result is still within the government's target range for annual growth of between 6% to 6.5%. The rate remained within the government's target range for annual growth of between 6% and 6.5%.
The strength of the Chinese economy is closely watched as slowing growth can have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.The strength of the Chinese economy is closely watched as slowing growth can have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.
Earlier this year Beijing announced plans to boost spending and cut billions of dollars in taxes in an effort to support the economy. The country has become a key engine of growth in recent decades. Its healthy demand for a range of products, from commodities to machinery, has supported growth around the world.
It has also moved to provide a liquidity boost by reducing the amount of cash banks must hold in reserve. Some analysts worry that a sharp slowdown in China could hurt an already sluggish world economy and increase the risk of a recession.
Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics, said pressure on the Chinese economy "should intensify in the coming months".
He said more intervention by policymakers to support the economy was likely "but it will take time for this to put a floor beneath economic growth".
What challenges does China face?
China has been fighting a trade war with the US for the past year, which has created uncertainty for businesses and consumers.
At the same time, it faces domestic challenges including a swine fever outbreak that has fuelled inflation and hit consumer spending.
This week the International Monetary Fund trimmed its 2019 growth forecast for China to 6.1% from 6.2% due to the long-running trade dispute and slowing domestic demand.
But there have been some signs of progress toward resolving the trade battle, with the US and China reaching a "phase one deal" earlier this month.
The government has sought to help the economy through tax cuts and by taking measures to boost liquidity in the financial system.
Still, some analysts say the government has become more cautious in providing stimulus amid growing concerns about China's rising debt pile.
Any analysis of China's economic data has to come with a caveat: Many economists believe the actual figures are much lower than what we are told, but it's the trajectory of growth and signalling from the government that you should pay attention to.Any analysis of China's economic data has to come with a caveat: Many economists believe the actual figures are much lower than what we are told, but it's the trajectory of growth and signalling from the government that you should pay attention to.
The fact that the growth figures have come in below market expectations indicate that China's economy is hurting more than many thought.The fact that the growth figures have come in below market expectations indicate that China's economy is hurting more than many thought.
There were signs from China that these numbers were going to be worrying. Earlier this week, Premier Li Keqiang made the unusual move to warn local officials that they must do "everything" to make sure they hit growth targets for this year.There were signs from China that these numbers were going to be worrying. Earlier this week, Premier Li Keqiang made the unusual move to warn local officials that they must do "everything" to make sure they hit growth targets for this year.
China's economy is being hit on three fronts: The US-led trade war, slowing demand at home and rising domestic challenges including the outbreak of swine fever that has dealt a huge blow to its pork farmers. It's also pushed up prices for consumers.China's economy is being hit on three fronts: The US-led trade war, slowing demand at home and rising domestic challenges including the outbreak of swine fever that has dealt a huge blow to its pork farmers. It's also pushed up prices for consumers.
China's slowdown is nothing new. But these challenges pose new headaches for policymakers who are trying to manage the slowdown. The country's political stability depends on economic security - and over the last forty years, that's what the Communist Party has delivered. They're under pressure to keep that contract.China's slowdown is nothing new. But these challenges pose new headaches for policymakers who are trying to manage the slowdown. The country's political stability depends on economic security - and over the last forty years, that's what the Communist Party has delivered. They're under pressure to keep that contract.