Consumption and factory output figures beat forecasts, but a tumbling property sector remains a major challenge as Beijing races to revitalise growth.

China has reported the lowest quarterly economic growth since the middle of last year, moving farther away from the 2024 target and heaping additional pressure on policymakers. The world’s second-largest economy grew in the July-September period by 4.

China is expected to post its slowest growth in a year and a half on Friday, as Beijing struggles to steady an economy shaken by sluggish spending and persistent property sector woes. That would be down from 4.