China's Economy Shows Upward Momentum Driven by New Industrial Sectors

Officials and economists noted that China's economy showed upward momentum and an improving structure in the first nine months of 2026, according to analysis by Liu Zhibiao. Gross domestic product grew 4.6 percent year-on-year in January-September, with third-quarter growth rising to 4.5 percent from 4.3 percent in the second quarter, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed. New growth drivers, including high-end manufacturing and the digital economy, contributed more than 40 percent to economic growth during that period.

The analysis indicates that new industrial drivers generated over 60 percent of industrial growth in the third quarter. High-tech manufacturing value added increased 14.3 percent in the first nine months, significantly outpacing the 5.3 percent growth seen across major industrial enterprises overall, suggesting a structural shift in the economy.