China's economy is expected to have slowed in the third quarter, dragged by a prolonged property downturn and weak consumption, maintaining pressure on policymakers as they consider more stimulus steps to revitalise growth.

China’s economic growth slowed in the third quarter, trending below Beijing’s annual growth target but beating market expectations.

China's economic slowdown deepened in the three months to the end of September, as the country struggles to boost flagging growth. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 4.6% on an yearly basis, below the government's 5% annual target,