China’s Economy Grows 4.5 Percent in Q3
Source reports published 19 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm AEST
China’s economy expanded 4.5 percent in the July-September period, exceeding forecasts driven by a boom in artificial intelligence-related exports. This growth maintains the government’s 2026 target of 4.5 to 5 percent.
What happened
- China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 4.5 percent in the July-September period from the same quarter a year earlier, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
- This exceeded the 4.3 percent growth in the second quarter and most analysts’ forecasts.
- Strong demand for semiconductors and other tech-related goods fueled a surge in Chinese exports, which rose more than 16 percent year-on-year to 23.19 billion yuan.
- Industrial production rose 5.5 percent in September, while retail sales increased 1.1 percent.
- Duncan Wrigley, chief China economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, noted that the growth was partly due to coalmines resuming operations after safety inspections.
- Manufacturing output growth remained robust at 6.0 percent year-on-year, supported by stronger export demand.
- However, fixed-asset investment fell 7.2 percent and property investment tumbled 20.6 percent.
Original reporting
- Al Jazeera: China’s economy grows 4.5 percent in Q3, beating forecasts
2026-10-19T00:00:00+00:00 - Guardian: China’s economy grows faster than forecast after AI boom boosts exports
2026-10-19T00:00:00+00:00 - South China Morning Post: Rebound in China’s GDP growth keeps 2026 target in sight
2026-10-19T09:00:09+00:00