Mediamec China’s economy expanded by 4.6% in the first nine months of 2026, with gross domestic product reaching 107.1 trillion yuan ($16 trillion), according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The bureau said economic development remained steady despite pressures. The figures showed growth in manufacturing, services and trade, while overall fixed-asset investment declined.
Major industrial enterprises recorded a 5.3% year-on-year increase in value-added output between January and September. High-tech manufacturing grew by 14.3%, while equipment manufacturing expanded by 10.2%.
Production of 3D printing equipment jumped by 62.5%. Lithium-ion battery output rose by 39.5%, and industrial robot production increased by 29.1%.
The services sector’s value added was 5.2% higher than a year earlier. Leasing and business services grew by 12.3%, followed by information transmission, software and information technology services at 10.4%. Financial services expanded by 5.8%, while accommodation and catering grew by 5.5%.
Retail sales of goods and services, a measure of consumer demand, increased by 2.6% over the nine-month period.
Business activity indices exceeded 55% in telecommunications, broadcasting, television and satellite transmission services, as well as monetary and financial services and insurance. Readings above 50 indicate expansion.
Combined goods imports and exports climbed by 18.8% year on year to 39.9 trillion yuan. Trade with Belt and Road partner countries increased by 17.1%.
Fixed-asset investment, excluding rural households, fell by 7.2% during the same period. Innovation-related investment nevertheless increased, with spending on intellectual property products rising by 9.3% and investment in high-tech industries growing by 4.9%.
