China’s Economy Grows 4.5% in Third Quarter as Exports Offset Weak Domestic Demand
China’s third-quarter GDP growth reached 4.5% year on year, beating expectations of 4.4% and improving from 4.3% in the previous quarter.
CHINA,ECONOMY
Global N Press
10/19/20261 min read
BEIJING, October 19, 2026 — China’s economy grew 4.5% year on year in the third quarter, beating economists’ expectations of 4.4% and recovering from 4.3% growth in the previous quarter, official data showed. Gross domestic product expanded 4.6% in the first nine months of 2026. Industrial output rose 5.5% in September, while retail sales increased 1.1%, indicating stronger factory activity than consumer demand. Exports remained a key source of support: customs data released earlier showed September exports rising 36.3% year on year and imports increasing 31.0%, producing a trade surplus of $133.53 billion.
Semiconductor products, electric vehicles and other technology-related goods supported shipments. However, the recovery remained uneven. Fixed-asset investment fell 7.2% in the first nine months, while the prolonged property downturn continued to weigh on confidence and domestic demand. Economists said robust exports could help China meet its 2026 growth target of 4.5% to 5%, but warned that trade tensions, weaker external demand and persistent domestic imbalances remained risks.
Beijing has introduced measures to support consumption, infrastructure and technology investment. The latest figures point to renewed growth momentum, but sustaining it will depend on a broader recovery in household spending and investment, alongside developments in the property sector and international trade.
