China GDP Grows 4.7 Percent in First Half of 2026

China's gross domestic product grew 4.7 percent year on year during the first half of 2026, an increase of 3.6 trillion yuan. This expansion keeps the economy within the official annual target range of 4.5 to 5 percent. The National Bureau of Statistics attributed this performance to an artificial intelligence boom, new growth engines, and record-high domestic production of electricity, natural gas, and crude oil.

Technological sectors showed significant gains, with integrated circuit output rising 23.1 percent to 279.8 billion units. Daily AI token usage reached several hundred trillion, contributing to a broader shift toward a digital economy. High-end manufacturing and modern services now account for more than 40 percent of the country's economic growth.

In response to these trends, the International Monetary Fund raised China's full-year growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points. This adjustment occurred despite the IMF lowering its global growth forecast to 3 percent, citing energy disruptions in the Middle East and broader geopolitical tensions.