China's economic growth slowed sharply to 4.3% on an annual basis in the April-June quarter, the government said Wednesday, marking the weakest period in over three years and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The weak household consumption clouded strong manufacturing and exports, and intensified concerns over the long-term sustainability of its unbalanced growth model.
At 4.3%, gross domestic product growth in April-June eased from the first quarter's 5.0%, landing below the lower end of China's 4.5%-5.0% full-year target and missing forecasts.
China has largely shrugged off wider economic impacts from the Iran war as soaring energy prices pushed up global inflation.
Exports rose 17.6% in the first half of the year from a year earlier, and 27% in June, according to customs data.
