Via New York Times: “China’s economy grew at a 9.6 percent pace in the April through June period, a weaker pace than expected, data showed Friday, suggesting that Beijing may be achieving a soft landing for the economy.
The number was a slackening from the 9.8 percent pace in the first quarter of the year. It was also below the 10.7 percent median expectation of eight economists. Relatively strong year-on- year growth had been expected, partly as a result of a rebound after the respiratory illness SARS curbed the economy last year.”