China says its economy grew by 5% last year, meeting Beijing’s official target as a record trade surplus boosted growth. But Chinese government figures also showed economic growth slowed to 4.5% in the final three months of 2025, compared to a year earlier. Beijing had set a goal of “around 5%” economic growth in 2025, despite struggles to boost domestic spending and a prolonged property crisis and the turmoil caused by US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Experts say the figures point to a “two-speed economy”, with manufacturing and exports propping up growth, while within the country, people are still spending cautiously and the property market continues to weigh on the economy.
China hits growth goal after exports boom defied US tariffs (BBC)
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