China Q3 GDP rises 4.5%, beating forecasts on AI exports

Briefing by News4U · First published 2026-10-19 13:00:26 UTC

China’s economy grew 4.5% in July-September, up from 4.3% in Q2, putting it on track for the 4.5-5% annual target.

China’s GDP grew 4.5% year-on-year in the third quarter, beating forecasts and rising from 4.3% in April-June, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday. Growth for the first nine months reached 4.6%. [1] [2] [3] [5]

Exports surged on global demand for AI-related chips and electronics, widening the trade surplus and keeping China on course to exceed last year’s record $1.2 trillion. Industrial output rose 5.5% in September, while retail sales grew only 1.1%. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Property investment fell 20.6% in the first nine months and fixed-asset investment dropped 7.2%. Beijing has rolled out modest credit and fiscal support but has so far avoided large-scale stimulus. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Sources

1. China's economic growth picks up as AI boom boosts exports

   BBC Business · 2026-10-19 02:22:42 UTC · Full text

2. China's GDP rebounds to beat expectations

   RTHK Finance · 2026-10-19 03:23:15 UTC · Excerpt

3. China’s economy grows 4.5 percent in Q3, beating forecasts

   Al Jazeera · 2026-10-19 05:56:47 UTC · Full text

4. China's economic growth picks up as exports boom

   RTÉ Business · 2026-10-19 06:12:28 UTC · Full text

5. China’s economy grows faster than forecast after AI boom boosts exports

   The Guardian Business · 2026-10-19 09:27:04 UTC · Full text

Link to this briefing · Back to news