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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityBusinessMarket DataEconomyYour MoneyCompaniesTechnology of BusinessCEO SecretsAI BusinessChina economy grows faster than expected in first quarterPublished11 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, China’s first quarter retail sales growth slippedBy Mariko OiBusiness reporterChina’s economy made a stronger-than-expected start to the year, even as the crisis in its property sector deepened.According to official data, gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 5.3% in the first three months of 2024, compared to a year earlier.That beat expectations the world’s second largest economy would see growth slow to 4.6% in the first quarter.Last month, Beijing set an ambitious annual growth target for world’s second largest economy of “around 5%”.Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also showed first quarter retail sales growth, a key gauge of China’s consumer confidence, fell to 3.1%.”You cannot manufacture growth forever so we really need to see households come to the party if China wants to hit that around 5% growth target,” Harry Murphy Cruise from Moody’s Analytics told the BBC.In the same period property investment fell 9.5%, highlighting the challenges faced by China’s real estate firms.The figures came as China continues to struggle with an ongoing property market crisis. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the sector accounts for around 20% of the economy.The latest data also showed new home prices fell at the fastest pace for more than eight years in March.The real estate industry crisis has been highlighted in January when property giant Evergrande was ordered to liquidate by a court in Hong Kong.Rival developers Country Garden and Shimao have also been hit with a winding-up petitions in the city.Last week, credit ratings agency Fitch cut its outlook for China, citing increasing risks to the country’s finances as it faces economic challenges.At the annual gathering of China’s leaders in March officials said the economy grew by 5.2% in 2023.For decades the Chinese economy expanded at a stellar rate, with official figures putting its GDP growing at an average of close to 10% a year.Related TopicsXi JinpingInternational BusinessChinaChina economyTop StoriesIsrael war cabinet meets to discuss Iran responsePublished4 hours agoDozens of jurors ruled out as historic Trump trial beginsPublished4 hours agoMPs to vote on smoking ban for Generation AlphaPublished35 minutes agoFeaturesThe Papers: ‘Frantic diplomacy’ over Iran and Trump trial beginsSalman Rushdie: Losing an eye upsets me every day’Hero’ who took on killer describes Sydney attackBowen: As Israel debates Iran response, can US and allies stop slide into all-out war?What was in wave of Iranian attacks and how were they thwarted?What you need to vote has changed. VideoWhat you need to vote has changedListen: Is this a turning point for Iran and Israel? AudioListen: Is this a turning point for Iran and Israel?AttributionSoundsCalls for Germany to legalise abortions in first trimesterHow is Paris preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics?Elsewhere on the BBCWere three prime ministers brought down by WhatsApp?Helen Lewis investigates how instant messaging can lead to chaos, confusion, and comedyAttributionSoundsWhen the Queen parachuted from a helicopter with James BondHow did the memorable moment from the 2012 London Olympic Games come about?AttributionSoundsThe Austrian house where children were experimented onEvy Mages uncovers the full, disturbing truth of what happened thereAttributionSoundsReady to rock through time with the Doctor and Ruby?A sneak peek of the new series of Doctor Who, starting May 11…AttributioniPlayerMost Read1Truss endorses Trump to win US presidential race2’Frantic diplomacy’ over Iran and Trump trial begins3MPs to vote on smoking ban for Generation Alpha4Wrong couple divorced after law firm computer error5Dozens of jurors ruled out as historic Trump trial begins6Sydney church stabbing declared a ‘terrorist attack’7The pro-Kremlin troll and the false Sydney attack claims8Prime minister not at Eid party guests boycotted9Rust film armourer sentenced to 18 months in prison10Israel war cabinet meets to discuss Iran response
[ad_1] Official figures also highlighted the challenges faced by the country’s crisis-hit property sector.
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaHK jails European citizen for ‘demonising China’Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A Portuguese citizen who also held a Hong Kong ID card is the first foreign national to be jailed under the city’s National Security LawFrances MaoBBC NewsPublished1 hour agoA Portuguese man has become the first European citizen jailed under the China-imposed National Security Law in Hong Kong, a law widely criticised by rights groups.Joseph John, also known as Wong Kin-chung, holds dual Portuguese and Hong Kong nationality and was previously based in the UK.He was arrested for posting pro-independence and anti-China content on social media, after returning to Hong Kong to visit family in 2022 In February, he was convicted of “secession” and on Thursday sentenced to five years in jail.Under the law, secession is the offence of advocating for Hong Kong to break away from China.John, 41, had previously been the head of a little-known group calling itself the Hong Kong Independence Party, where he operated the group’s Facebook and other social media accounts as well as a UK-registered website.The group advocated for foreign intervention in China’s rule over Hong Kong following the 2019 pro-democracy protests.In the wake of Beijing’s crackdown on protest, the group called for the “UK and US to send troops to Hong Kong” with online posts about petitions for foreign intervention and crowdfunding for an independent Hong Kong army.The pages were shut down in 2022, when John returned to Hong Kong to visit his ailing mother and was arrested by authorities.He pleaded guilty to “inciting secession” in February. In his sentencing trial on Thursday, Judge Ernest Lin said John had “distorted history, demonised China, and appealed to foreign countries to destroy [Hong Kong] and China by political or simply violent means”.He was sentenced to five years – the mandatory minimum now given to “serious” National Security Law cases. This has become the new legal standard set in the territory in recent years.How rule of law has deteriorated in Hong KongA guide to the National Security LawJohn had already been held in custody for 16 months – having been denied bail as a defendant charged under the National Security Law. It is now standard practice in Hong Kong for bail rights to be denied to those charged under the law, legal experts say.Portuguese consular officials as well as representatives from the European Union were in the Hong Kong District Court on Thursday.Portuguese officials said during John’s detention, they had been denied access to him.It’s been reported that Hong Kongers with dual nationality have not been able to receive foreign consular assistance as the city’s officials have been enforcing Chinese nationality rules. Beijing does not allow dual citizenship.John is believed to be the first dual national and first foreign citizen jailed under the Beijing’s National Security Law, which was imposed in response to the massive street protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2019 where demonstrators protested China’s increased rule and called for greater democratic rights.Image source, Getty Image caption, Protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong in 2019 to voice opposition to greater control from ChinaSince it was enacted in 2020, more than 290 people have been arrested under the law, with 174 people charged with national security crimes and 112 convicted.It criminalises anything considered as secession; subversion, which is undermining the power or authority of the central government; terrorism, which is using violence or intimidation against people; and collusion with foreign or external forces.China and Hong Kong authorities say the law is necessary to maintain stability in the city, and have rejected arguments it weakened Hong Kong’s autonomy.Rights groups and critics of the law say it crushed the political opposition and silenced any dissent in the city.Last month, Hong Kong also introduced another security law expanding authorities’ reach. The new law, known as Article 23, targets new offences like external interference and insurrection. Critics have warned that it further erodes Hong Kongers’ civil liberties.Related TopicsAsiaChinaHong KongTop StoriesUS restricts travel for employees in IsraelPublished1 hour agoOJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 76Published2 hours agoUnpaid carers shocked at having to repay thousandsPublished5 minutes agoFeaturesThe Papers: Trident ‘safe in Labour’s hands’ and OJ dead at 76Suicide is on the rise for young Americans. 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