STORY: China's economic growth slowed to a three-year low in the fourth quarter of 2025, but still hit its target for the full year.
The world's second-largest economy grew 4.5%, just beating forecasts, but easing back from the previous quarter's 4.8% pace.
For the whole of 2025, the economy expanded 5%, meeting the official target of around that level and matching last year's figure.
China's mighty manufacturing machine provided the much-needed economic drive.
The country seized a record share of global demand for goods over the year, offsetting weak demand at home.
Beijing last week reported a record trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion in 2025, driven by booming exports to non-U.S. markets.
That is as producers diversified to offset tariff pressure from Washington.
But analysts say the reliance on external demand underscores vulnerabilities in China's economy.
The country is grappling with weak domestic spending amid a prolonged property slump and persistent deflationary strains.
Saxo chief investment strategist Charu Chanana said China's "headline win hides uneven momentum."
Beijing's 2026 economic outlook is also clouded by rising global trade protectionism and by U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable economic policies.
