Business
China Q3 growth picks up to 4.5% as AI boom fuels export surge
October 19, 2026 at 02:56 AM · Updated 48m ago
Coverage
3 reports · 1 in Arabic, 2 in English · over 2 hours
China's economy expanded 4.5% in the third quarter, up from a three-year low, powered by AI-driven exports while domestic demand remained weak.
- China's National Bureau of Statistics reported 4.5% year-on-year growth for the third quarter, up from 4.3% in the previous quarter.
- Exports surged 36.3% in September, the biggest jump since early 2021, driven by AI-related and green-tech products.
- Property investment fell more than 20% in the first nine months, official data showed.
- The IMF downgraded China's 2026 growth forecast from 4.6% to 4.5%, citing weakness in domestic consumption and investment.
- September factory output rose 5.5% year on year, in line with forecasts, official data showed.
- Retail sales grew 1.1% in September, better than expected, amid Beijing's ongoing efforts to stimulate growth.
- The data leaves China on track to meet its annual growth target of 4.5%-5% set by leaders.