Osmond Chia<\/span>Business reporter<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n China’s economic growth slowed in the three months to the end of September as problems in the property market persisted and trade tensions with the US flared up.<\/p>\n The world’s second-largest economy grew by 4.8% compared to the same period in 2024, its weakest pace in a year, official figures<\/a> released on Monday show.<\/p>\n The data comes after China imposed sweeping controls on its exports of rare earths<\/a> – minerals essential for the global production of electronics – a move that rocked its fragile trade truce with the US.<\/p>\n The third-quarter growth figures will set the tone for a gathering of China’s top leaders this week to discuss the country’s economic blueprint<\/a> over the next five years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The latest growth figure marked a slowdown from the annual rate of 5.2% seen in the three months to July.<\/p>\n China’s National Bureau of Statistics said the economy showed “strong resilience and vitality” against pressure . It credited momentum in its technology sector and business services as key growth drivers.<\/p>\n Beijing has set a goal of “around 5%” economic growth this year and has so far avoided a sharp downturn, helped by government support measures <\/b>and what – until recently – had been a trade ceasefire with Washington.<\/p>\n When China announced controls on rare earths earlier this month, US President Donald Trump responded swiftly by threatening an additional 100% tariffs on imports from China<\/a>.<\/p>\n US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said he expects to meet Chinese officials this week in Malaysia in an attempt to ease tensions and set up a meeting between Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping.<\/p>\n Before the recent flare-up, Chinese businesses had taken advantage of the trade truce with Washington to ship goods to the US, resulting in China’s exports rising by 8.4% in September. The total value of imports to China was also up.<\/p>\n China’s industrial output grew by 6.5% last month from a year earlier, with its 3D-printing, robotics and electric vehicles manufacturers among its strongest performers.<\/p>\n Its service sector, which includes IT support, consultancies, and transport and logistics companies, also grew.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The latest data shows that China’s exports have helped to offset its “sluggish” domestic spending, according to Sheana Yue, senior economist at Oxford Economics.<\/p>\n Beijing has spent billions on incentives such as subsidies, higher wages and discounts to encourage locals to spend more and lift its economy.<\/p>\n However, Ms Yue said it was unlikely China’s economic growth this year would exceed 4.8% without further government support, which could come with the new Five-Year Plan laying out Beijing’s economic goals.<\/p>\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6308\/live\/5ecf2ee0-ad5f-11f0-8e7e-7be03dd4abd1.jpg.webp\")
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