Analysts say they see signs of malaise in China’s domestic economy, but those problems were offset mainly by robust exports and a $1 trillion trade surplus.

Beijing hit its GDP growth target of 5 percent in 2024, according to its statistics bureau—but deflationary pressures remain.

China’s population has fallen for the third straight year, pointing to further demographic challenges for the world’s second most populous nation that is now facing both an aging population and an emerging shortage of working age people able to support their elders.

China's economic growth likely fell fractionally short of the government's five percent target last year, according to an AFP survey, as leaders head into 2025 steeling for the second presidency of Donald Trump amid fears of another painful trade standoff.

China said that its economy expanded by 5% last year, but a variety of weak signals have made some outside economists dubious.

China has reported that its economy expanded at a 5% annual pace in 2024, achieving Beijing's target of "around 5%" growth helped by strong exports and recent stimulus measures.

The last time Trump hit China with tariffs, Beijing devalued the yuan, blunting the impact. This time, Xi Jinping has signaled the country should defend its currency.

China has reported that its economy expanded at a 5% annual pace in 2024, slower than the year before but still hitting Beijing’s target of “around 5%” growth

Nomura's Chief China Economist Ting Lu said in a report Tuesday that he expects the sales boost to fade by the second half of this year, and that tepid new home sales will limit demand for home appliances.

China's economy matched the government's ambitions for 5% growth last year, but in a lopsided fashion, with many people complaining of worsening living standards as Beijing struggles to transfer its industrial and export gains to consumers.