China's economy is expected to have slowed in the third quarter, dragged by a prolonged property downturn and weak consumption, maintaining pressure on policymakers as they consider more stimulus steps to revitalise growth.

China’s economic growth slowed in the third quarter, trending below Beijing’s annual growth target but beating market expectations.

China has reported that its economy expanded at a slower-than-expected rate of 4.6% in the July-September quarter

China's economy grew slightly quicker than expected in the third quarter, but a prolonged property downturn and weak consumption remain a drag on activity, maintaining pressure on policymakers as they consider more stimulus steps to revitalise growth.

China has reported the lowest quarterly economic growth since the middle of last year, moving farther away from the 2024 target and heaping additional pressure on policymakers. The world’s second-largest economy grew in the July-September period by 4.