Fourth-quarter growth seen hitting a year low

Likely lower: Employees wearing personal protective equipment work at a port in Qingdao in Shandong province. China’s economy is expected to grow 3.6% in the October-December period from a year earlier, the weakest pace since the second quarter of 2020. — AFP

BEIJING: China’s economy likely grew at the slowest pace in 1½ years in the fourth quarter, dragged by weaker demand due to a property downturn, curbs on debt and strict Covid-19 measures, raising heat on policymakers to roll out more easing steps.

Data is expected to show that gross domestic product (GDP) grew 3.6% in October-December from a year earlier – the weakest pace since the second quarter of 2020 and slowing from 4.9% in the third quarter, a Reuters poll showed.