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

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.

Premier Li Qiang calls for all-round jobs support as commerce ministry vows to further open up telecoms, medical care and education sectors.

China's economy expanded at a 5% annual pace in 2024, slower than the year before but in line with Beijing’s target of “around 5%” growth, helped by strong exports and recent stimulus measures. In quarterly terms,

The LBMA Gold Price AM in USD fell in December while the Shanghai Gold Benchmark Price PM in RMB rose, supported by a weakening local currency. Read more here.

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 notified the International Monetary Fund on Thursday that its economy grew by 5% in 2024, IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told reporters, calling the development a "positive surprise" compared to the IMF's forecast of 4.

A top Civil Affairs Ministry official stressed new reforms must be rolled out over the next decade to be effective.

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.

"It is largely a mixed bag of economic data today to end 2024, with some data discrepancy and clearly carrying lacklustre momentum into 2025. In particular, the full-year pace of retail sales and investment growth, at 3.5% and 3.2%, respectively, remained significantly below the overall headline GDP growth of 5%."