China’s Q3 growth accelerates to 4.5%, beating forecast

China’s economy grew 4.5% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, accelerating from the previous quarter and exceeding analysts’ forecast, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday, October 19. Growth in July through September was up from 4.3% in April through June, when expansion was at its slowest pace in more than three years. Analysts polled ahead of the release had expected 4.4% growth. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, gross domestic product rose 1.2%, compared with 0.9% in the second quarter and a forecast of 1.1%. The stronger quarterly figures put growth within the government’s annual target range of 4.5% to 5%. The economy expanded 4.6% in the first nine months of the year, according to official figures. The data may ease pressure on policymakers to introduce more extensive stimulus, though officials have not announced large-scale measures. Exports have been a key source of support as domestic demand and investment remain weak. Chinese exports rose 21.3% in U.S. dollar terms in the first nine months compared with the same period a year earlier, according to customs data. Several economic indicators point to continued strain at...