China’s economy grows 4.5% on robust exports as domestic weakness persists

China said Monday its economy expanded 4.5% in the July-September quarter from a year earlier, driven by strong exports, a record that moves the country closer to its annual growth target just as trading partners press harder to narrow their deficits with Beijing. The official figure beat expectations and picked up from 4.3% in April-June, the slowest pace in more than three years. Chinese leaders have set a 2026 target of 4.5%-5%, down from last year’s 5% expansion. Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its forecast for China’s growth this year to 4.5%, the bottom of Beijing’s range. Exports remain one of the few bright spots.