China's GDP grew by 0.4% in the second quarter, missing expectations as the economy struggled to shake off the impact of Covid controls.
The analysts had predicted growth of 1%.
Industrial production rose by 3.9% from a year ago, missing expectations.
Retail sales in June rose by 3.1%, beating expectations for no growth from the previous year. A promotional shopping festival was held by major e- commerce companies.
Spending increased across many categories in retail sales in June. Construction materials saw a decline. In June, online retail sales grew at a slower pace than the previous month.
The investment in fixed assets for the first half of the year was above expectations.
Fixed asset investment went up by 0.95% in June from the previous month. From May to June, the pace of growth in infrastructure and manufacturing was the same or better than in real estate. The decline in real estate investment in the first half of the year was worse than the decline in the first five months.
The unemployment rate in China's 31 largest cities fell from pre-pandemic highs to 5.8% in June, but the rate for the 16 to 24 age group rose.
The latest economic results were described as hard-earned achievements, but the bureau warned about the impact of Covid and Shrinking Demand at home. Stagflation in the world economy and tighter monetary policy overseas were noted by the Bureau.
Beijing and other parts of China were able to resume normal business activity by early June. The central government has made some changes in the last few weeks.
Some parts of China have had to put Covid controls back in place.
The regions that make up 25% of China's GDP were under some form of control. That is up from the previous week.
The impact of Covid controls has resulted in major investment banks cutting their China GDP targets. The median forecast was 3.4% among firms tracked by CNBC.
In March, the official GDP target was announced.
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