China’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 4.6 per cent year-on-year to US$16 trillion in the first nine months of 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The result keeps the country on course to meet its annual growth target of around 4.5–5 per cent, analysts said. This was reported by Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS.
In the third quarter, the economy expanded by 4.5 per cent year-on-year, up from 4.3 per cent in the second quarter. Growth reached 5 per cent in the first three months of the year.
“Based on the forecasts by some international institutions, China’s growth rate of 4.6 per cent still leads among the world’s major economies. Also, in terms of absolute increase, the Chinese economy in the first three quarters added US$853.5 billion in output, the largest increment in the past five years,” said NBS deputy head Mao Shengyong.
High-tech and equipment manufacturing continued to support economic activity. Industrial output at large-scale enterprises increased by 5.3 per cent year-on-year in the first nine months. Value added in high-tech manufacturing grew by 14.3 per cent, while equipment manufacturing recorded an increase of 10.2 per cent.
Production of advanced industrial goods also expanded rapidly. Output of 3D printing equipment, lithium-ion batteries and industrial robots. Analysts highlighted the contribution of high-tech products, including those related to artificial intelligence, semiconductors and new energy vehicles, to manufacturing performance and exports.
Domestic consumption showed further signs of recovery. Total retail sales of consumer goods and services increased by 2.6 per cent year-on-year in the first nine months, while retail sales of services grew by 5 per cent. Analysts attributed the improvement partly to policy support and seasonal factors, including spending associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Analysts expect measures introduced to support growth to help sustain economic activity in the final quarter of 2026. They believe the results for January–September provide a foundation for China to achieve its annual GDP growth target and continue contributing to global demand.