China’s economic growth picked up in the three months to the end of September, rebounding from a three-year low as the artificial intelligence (AI) boom helped boost exports.
The world’s second largest economy grew by 4.5% in the third quarter, up from the previous period but below the 5% expansion recorded from January to March, according to official Chinese data.
The latest figure is at the bottom end of Beijing’s annual growth target of 4.5%-5%, which analysts have said gives policymakers room to address the country’s economic challenges.
While exports have helped offset weak spending at home, global trade tensions and uncertainty over AI investments are clouding its outlook.
China’s National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday that the economy “sustained steady development against pressure” and showed “momentum with new growth drivers and improving structure”.
With exports climbing, China’s trade surplus is on track to overtake the record $1.2tn seen last year.
Sales of high-tech goods rose by 14.3% while the production of both batteries and industrial robots grew by more than 29%, official figures showed.
However, property investment fell by more than 20% in the first nine months from the same period last year, official data also showed.
China’s economy has struggling to shake off a long-running property slump, after years of overbuilding and excessive borrowing by private developers.
Global demand for computer chips and other components used to build AI data centres has helped to ease pressure on Beijing and cushion the impact of sluggish domestic consumption.
Chinese businesses have leaned heavily on exports as a prolonged property slump, weak wage growth and high youth unemployment have weighed on consumer spending at home.
In September, Beijing unveiled a raft of support measures, including lower interest rates for some businesses and subsidies for property buyers, in an effort to boost the economy.