China’s Economy Strains Under Disappointing Data

China’s economy showed more signs of strain Monday as the country published weak data for industrial output, investment and retail sales, amid a lingering trade war with the United States.

Industrial output grew by 4.4 percent year-on-year throughout August, falling to its lowest level in 17 years and down from 4.8 percent in July.

The figure was well below analyst expectations, with a Bloomberg survey of analysts predicting heartier growth of 5.2 percent.

“We must be aware that international instabilities and uncertainties are increasing significantly, and that at home economic structural issues are still prominent and the downward pressures on (the) economy are mounting,” said Fu Linghui, a spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics, which released the data.

Retail sales also slipped to post growth of 7.5 percent — 0.1 percent down on the previous month and a knock to Beijing’s aims to boost domestic consumption.

Sewage spill sends E coli surging in the Potomac River near DC

Feds charge 87 individuals in massive ATM ‘jackpotting’ operation linked to Tren de Aragua gang

Mamdani’s early moves as mayor clash with affordability pledge: ‘Ripple effects are significant’

Trump admin wins court victory freeing ICE agents from Minnesota protest restrictions

DOJ could soon ask Supreme Court to consider legal battle over Trump-appointed US attorneys

ALERT: US Holocaust Museum Responds After Tim Walz Invokes Anne Frank’s Name, Calls Exploiting Holocaust ‘Deeply Offensive’

Conservative Party defections to Reform UK continue with former home secretary

Democrats lay out immigration demands as Congress careens toward shutdown

Report: Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei Now Living in Underground Bunker, Fears Trump Might Come for Him

‘This Is Not a Protest’: Former Special Ops Soldier Says Insurgent Tactics Being Used in Minnesota

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino to leave Minnesota, as Tom Homan takes over

Kathy Hochul blasted for knocking ICE as DHS offered federal help during NY blizzard

Trump Announces Major Asset is Headed to Minnesota Amid Continued Unrest: ‘I am Sending Tom Homan’

Former Louisiana high school teacher indicted for allegedly trying to entice student into sex

Agents involved in Pretti killing were wearing body cameras: DHS

Investment in fixed assets saw year-on-year growth of 5.5 percent in the first eight months of the year, 0.2 percent less than the first seven months, including a slight dip in crucial real estate investment.

All three sets of data fell short of analyst expectations, with Bloomberg predicting 7.9 percent growth in retail sales and 5.7 percent growth in investments.

China’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to 6.2 percent in the second quarter of the year — the weakest pace in almost three decades.

“For China to maintain growth of 6.0 percent or more is very difficult against the current backdrop of a complicated international situation and a relatively high base, and this rate is at the forefront of the world’s leading economies,” Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was quoted as saying in an interview with Russian media which was published on the Chinese government’s website.

The People’s Bank of China said earlier this month that it would cut the amount of cash lenders must keep in reserve, in a bid to release more money into the stuttering economy.