China sees economy grow 4.9% in third quarter, beating expectations

BUSINESS DAILY © FRANCE 24

China's National Bureau of Statistics has released a new raft of data on the health of the Chinese economy, the world's second largest. Annual GDP growth in the third quarter reached 4.9%, beating analysts' expectations. The authorities' efforts to support growth are bearing fruit, although retail sales remain low and the property sector continues to struggle. Also in this edition, Chinese President Xi Jinping defends his signature Belt and Road Initiative and oil prices surge after a blast kills hundreds at a hospital in Gaza.