China's economy grew 4.5 per cent in the third quarter, picking up from 4.3 per cent in the previous period but below the 5 per cent recorded from January to March, official data showed on Monday — a rebound from a three-year low driven by the global artificial intelligence boom.
Exports carried the result. Worldwide demand for computer chips and data-centre components has boosted Chinese sales abroad, September exports surged by more than a third, and the trade surplus is on track to overtake last year's record $1.2 trillion. Analysts at ABN Amro said the pickup 'mainly reflects ongoing export strength on the global AI/tech boom,' more than offsetting other drags.
At home the picture is weaker. Property investment fell by more than 20 per cent in the first nine months of the year, fixed-asset investment dropped 7.2 per cent, and weak wage growth and high youth unemployment have held back consumers after years of overbuilding and heavy developer borrowing.
The National Bureau of Statistics said the economy 'sustained steady development against pressure' with 'new growth drivers and improving structure.' At 4.5 per cent, growth sits at the bottom of Beijing's 4.5-to-5 per cent annual target — which analysts say gives policymakers room to act, though global trade tensions and doubts about returns on AI investment cloud the outlook. This is market and economic news only, not investment advice.
