Posted on 21 Jan 2014
China's annual economic growth eased to 7.7% between October and December 2013 from 7.8% in the previous three months, slightly ahead of market expectations for growth of 7.6%, data showed on Monday.
The world's second largest economy grew 7.7% in 2013 from a year earlier, data from the website of the National Bureau of Statistics showed. The government's target was for 7.5% growth in 2013.
Other data released alongside GDP showed industrial output grew 9.7% in December from a year ago, versus expectations of 9.8% showed in the Reuters poll.
Retail sales in December rose 13.6% on a year ago, in line with expectations.
Fixed-asset investment grew 19.6% in 2013 from a year earlier, versus an expected 19.8%. The government only publishes cumulative investment data.
