CHINA’S GROWTH IN 2011Q4

CHINA'S GROWTH AT 8.9PC IS WEAKEST IN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS

China's economy expanded at its weakest pace in two-and-a-half years in the final quarter as slowing Western demand for its exports and government efforts to curb inflation held back growth.

The Telegraph, January 17, 2012

GDP grew 8.9pc in the fourth quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics said, slower than in the third quarter, but still beating analyst expectations.

"It's slowing, even though it's not particularly aggressive. The economy seems to be surprisingly resilient so far," said Stephen Green, regional head of research for Greater China at Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong.

Beijing had set a growth target of around 8pc for 2011.

Annual growth was 9.2pc suggesting the world's second largest economy could avoid a hard landing despite falling demand from key export markets in the US and Europe, analysts said.

The figure, down from 10.4pc the previous year, also meant that the Chinese central bank was less likely to ease credit in the short-term to boost the world's second-largest economy.

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