China's third-quarter growth quickens to 4.5% as exports surge, beating estimates

Summary

China's economy grew 4.5% year on year in the July-September quarter, up from 4.3% in April-June and ahead of expectations, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics. Euronews reports that the 4.3% rate was the slowest pace in more than three years. CNBC reports that foreign demand for technological goods largely offset sluggish consumer demand, while The Guardian reports that electronics demand boosted factory output, which grew much faster than consumer spending. Al Jazeera describes the growth as picking up amid an AI-driven boom in exports. The South China Morning Post reports that the figure beat a 4.4% consensus forecast from economists. The Financial Times reports that analysts say the result puts the economy on track to meet its full-year target.

Timeline

1. CNBC

   19 Oct 2026, 02:29 UTCSource ↗

   CNBC reports that third-quarter growth accelerated to 4.5% and beat estimates, as foreign demand for technological goods largely offset sluggish consumer demand.

2. Euronews

   19 Oct 2026, 04:11 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that the official 4.5% growth figure beat expectations and picked up from 4.3% in April-June, the slowest pace in more than three years.

3. Financial Times

   19 Oct 2026, 05:03 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that analysts say third-quarter growth of 4.5% puts China's economy on track to meet its full-year target.

4. Al Jazeera

   19 Oct 2026, 05:56 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that China's economy grew 4.5% in the third quarter, beating forecasts, with growth picking up from the second quarter amid an AI-driven boom in exports.

5. ABC News

   19 Oct 2026, 06:42 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that China says its economy grew 4.5% in the July-September quarter from a year earlier, with robust exports driving the acceleration.

6. South China Morning Post

   19 Oct 2026, 09:00 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that third-quarter GDP growth rose to 4.5% from 4.3%, beating the 4.4% consensus forecast and keeping Beijing's annual growth target in sight.

7. The Guardian

   19 Oct 2026, 09:27 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that China's third-quarter GDP grew 4.5% year on year, with factory output buoyed by electronics demand and growing faster than consumer spending.