China's economy expanded by 4.3% in the second quarter, marking the slowest growth rate since 2022 and falling short of market expectations.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the April-to-June period saw a deceleration in economic activity, underscoring persistent headwinds facing the world's second-largest economy.
The weaker-than-anticipated print is likely to fuel speculation that policymakers will accelerate the rollout of fiscal and monetary stimulus measures.
Investors have been closely monitoring the trajectory of Chinese growth, with the latest figures suggesting that previous support mechanisms have yet to fully arrest the slowdown in domestic demand and investment.
This development adds to a broader narrative of economic softness across Asia, where emerging markets are navigating a complex mix of external trade pressures and internal structural challenges.
The slowdown in China, a key engine for global commodity demand and regional supply chains, could weigh on sentiment across Asian equities and currencies in the coming sessions.