China's GDP growth rate slows sharply to 4.3% in second quarter

EconomyAs weak consumption weighs, 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. © ReutersNikkei staff writersJuly 15, 2026 11:03 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.