Business
China Economic Growth Slows Sharply in Second Quarter, Missing Target
Synthesized from4 sources
China Economic Growth Slows Sharply in Second Quarter, Missing Target
China’s GDP grew 4.3% in the second quarter of 2026, falling below the government’s annual target range amid weak domestic demand and higher oil prices from the Iran war.
- Official GDP figures released on Wednesday showed the world’s second largest economy grew 4.3% in April–June, below Beijing’s 4.5–5% target.
- China’s exports jumped 27% in June compared to a year earlier, while monthly car exports topped one million for the first time.
- Retail sales rose 1% in June, recovering from a 0.6% decline in May, but new home prices fell 0.1% in June, a slightly slower pace than the previous month.
Latest developments
- Jul 15 — The 4.3% growth rate is one of the lowest quarterly rates since reporting began in the 1990s.
- Jul 15 — Analysts described the recovery as 'lopsided,' with exports surging 27% in June while domestic demand slumped.
- Jul 15 — Analysts are watching for potential stimulus measures from the Chinese Communist Party amid concerns about rebalancing the economy away from export dependence.
Coverage
Read the original reportingThis brief was compiled from 4 outlets, 2 reporting in Arabic and 2 in English, over 11 hours of coverage. Each is listed below with the headline it led on, so you can compare them yourself.
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