Beijing, 15 July 2026 – China’s economy slowed more sharply than expected in the second quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product expanding 4.3% year-on-year as weak domestic demand, property-sector stress and uneven investment momentum continued to weigh on growth.

The latest reading marked the weakest quarterly expansion since late 2022 and was lower than the government’s official 4.5%–5.0% target range for the year. Growth also eased from 5.0% in the first quarter, reinforcing concerns that China’s recovery remains heavily dependent on exports and industrial output rather than broad-based domestic consumption.

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Author

Rebecca Hsu
Rebecca Hsu is a Senior Economist and Lead Analyst for The Ledger Asia, focusing on the rapidly evolving financial landscapes of East and Southeast Asia. With a background in sovereign risk assessment and emerging market trends, Rebecca provides sharp commentary on trade dynamics, monetary policy, and the digital economy's impact on regional growth.
Formerly a strategic advisor for major financial institutions in Hong Kong, she excels at translating complex macroeconomic shifts into actionable insights for investors and policymakers. Her work at The Ledger Asia centers on China’s economic transition and the burgeoning manufacturing hubs of ASEAN, ensuring readers stay ahead of Asia’s shifting financial tides.