Economy
China's Economy Grows 4.5% in Third Quarter, Beating Forecasts
China's GDP grew 4.5% year on year in the third quarter of 2026, beating the second quarter's 4.3% and most analyst forecasts, as AI-driven technology exports boomed. Weak domestic demand and a sluggish property market still weigh on the economy, with retail sales up just 1.1% in September and fixed-asset investment down 7.2% over January–September.