China's GDP growth rate of 4.3% marks slowest pace in over three years

EconomyWeak consumption weighs in second quarter; outlook hinges on exports remaining robustA worker assembles a wind turbine generator at an industrial park in Baotou, in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on June 13. The country's industrial production rose 5.4% in the first half of 2026, driven by robotic and semiconductor sectors. © ReutersNikkei staff writersJuly 15, 2026 11:03 JSTUpdated on July 15, 2026 12:28 JSTTOKYO -- China's growth momentum slowed in the second quarter after a strong start to the year, underscoring the fragile state of the economy even though trade tensions with the U.S. and turmoil in the Middle East have so far been less damaging than feared.