China’s economic growth slows to weakest pace in a year, fueling calls for more stimulus

Beijing: China’s economy grew at its slowest pace in a year during the third quarter, signaling deepening challenges in sustaining momentum amid weak domestic demand, a faltering property market, and persistent trade tensions.A

Official data released on Monday showed that China’s gross domestic product expanded by 4.8 percent in the July–September period compared with a year earlier, down from 5.2 percent in the second quarter. On a quarterly basis, the economy grew 1.1 percent, slightly above expectations, but analysts warned that the slowdown underscored mounting structural weaknesses.

The sluggish performance was driven largely by declining consumer spending and continued weakness in the real estate sector. Retail sales rose just 3 percent in September, marking the slowest pace in n