Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
China's 3Q growth accelerates to 8.9 percent pace
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
China's 3Q growth accelerates to 8.9 percent pace
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer -
Friday, October 23
Send
IM Story
Print
SHANGHAI – Lavish government spending and bank lending helped China's growth rate accelerate to an 8.9 percent pace in the third quarter, far outstripping expansions elsewhere around the globe and raising questions about whether the rapid rebound can be sustained.
China also announced Thursday that industrial production and investment spending are growing at a faster pace. That seemingly good news unsettled local stock investors, however, on fears Beijing may need to rein in its stimulus policies to avoid asset bubbles and inflation.
Companies, central bankers and political leaders around the world are increasingly counting on growing demand from Chinese producers and consumers to offset sluggish home markets. Corporations from Coke to Caterpillar are seeing their strongest sales in Asia, particularly China. So far, the growth is coming mostly from government-backed spending on construction and other projects, but demand from China's traditionally frugal, still relatively poor consumers is also rising.
The world's third-largest economy began to falter in late 2008 as exports plunged and thousands of factories shut down, throwing millions out of jobs. China fought back with a 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion) stimulus plan involving massive spending and bank lending for construction of infrastructure such as railways and roads to pump up the domestic economy.
Growth fell to a low of 6.1 percent in the first quarter, but rebounded to 7.9 percent in the second quarter, hitting 8.9 percent in the third quarter compared with a year earlier. That puts the economy on track to at least meet the official target of an 8 percent expansion for 2009.
With China in the forefront, "Asia appears to be leading the global recovery," Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said earlier this week. "Recent data from the region suggest that a strong rebound is, in fact, under way."
Yet sustaining the upswing beyond a few quarters hinges on stronger demand for exports from important markets such as the U.S., Europe and Japan which are emerging only slowly from the worst global recession since World War II.
"We'll see strong growth from China for the next six months, possibly another year," said Standard Chartered Bank economist Stephen Green. "The problem is what happens after another year and a half. What will be the growth driver then?" he said.
Signaling another set of concerns, China's top leaders said Wednesday that policies will increasingly focus on countering inflation _ a problem that had seemed below the horizon with consumer prices down 1.1 percent so far this year. They also resolved to clamp down on waste, industrial overcapacity and other imbalances brought on by the rapid resurgence in growth.
Still, the announcement that growth continued to accelerate in the third quarter contained a hint of jubilation over Beijing's progress in mending damage from the global economic crisis.
"We can say we have made obvious and remarkable achievements in our economic growth," National Statistics Bureau spokesman Li Xiaochao told reporters in Beijing.
"We have quickly reversed the economic slowdown. The momentum of the recovery is solid and overall, our economic performance is showing signs of improvement," Li said.
Industrial output rose 8.7 percent in the first three quarters of the year, and 12.4 percent in July-September _ signaling accelerating demand for steel and other industrial goods.
While China's imports still fall far short of its exports, its recovery is playing a stabilizing role for other, harder-hit economies, said David Cohen, director of Asian economic forecasting for the consultancy Action Economics in Singapore.
"The Chinese are the biggest customers for many countries around the world," he said. "They matter like never before."
Surging purchases of coal, iron ore and other minerals have aided global miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.
Automakers such as Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. are increasingly reliant on China with its auto market surging ahead of the U.S. to become the world's biggest this year.
Caterpillar Inc., which makes heavy equipment, raised its earnings forecast for the year because of performance in Asia, its best-performing region. Deliveries of its products in China were higher than they had ever been for the third quarter. Coca-Cola Co. plans a $2 billion investment along with its bottlers in China in the next three years to meet the growing popularity of fizzy drinks.
Even as China's rapid recovery sees it loom ever larger for companies in the West, it is grappling with problems that could undermine that progress.
Heavy reliance on spending on public works and other investments has raised worries that wasteful and redundant outlays on new factories and unneeded construction will worsen gluts, while inviting financial problems as projects fail to pay off.
Record bank lending has also helped spur potentially unhealthy run-ups in property and share prices. On Wednesday, top bank regulator Liu Mingkang ordered banks to show more caution in lending in coming months.
The government this week also outlined fresh curbs on investments in steelmaking and other industries plagued by massive overcapacity.
China's planners are seeking to widen the sources of growth beyond exports and investment in state-dominated industries by channeling spending to areas of the economy expected to spur more consumer spending and improve productivity.
While China's domestic consumption remains low compared with other major economies, it is rising. Retail sales grew 15.1 percent in the first three quarters, the statistics bureau said. Housing sales have been rising and new housing starts are also picking up.
"I never trusted what the economists were saying on TV about the recovery until our orders doubled last month. Now I'm convinced," said Zhang Yizheng, general manager of Shanghai Rising, a trading company that deals in plastic pipes used mainly in vehicles.
"Our orders from car makers, electric equipment makers and construction companies tell me that their business is returning to normal, too."
___
Associated Press researchers Bonnie Cao in Beijing and Ji Chen in Shanghai contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Oil falls, U.S. jobless claims weigh Reuters - Friday, October 23
Financials propel Wall St higher Reuters - 2 hours 3 minutes ago
Pilgrim's Pride to seek approval on plan Reuters - Friday, October 23
Turkey's Dogan seeks settlement in tax fine case Reuters - Friday, October 23
FTSE falls 1 pct as weak commods, banks weigh Reuters - Friday, October 23
News Search
Top Stories
Russian rights trio win top EU assembly prize
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
Eyes to the skies for the 'Galilean Nights'
US new jobless claims up again
Ethiopia demands food aid for 6.2 million people
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
China Economychina economy
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
'Sahrawi Gandhi' awarded New York peace prize
British airport operator sells London airport
Wells Fargo profit jumps to record $3.2 bln
Galleon funds to close amid insider trading scandal
Deutsche Bank posts three-fold rise in quarterly profit
More Most Viewed »
Boyzone singer Gately dies in Spain
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 23 October 2009 Rocket fire and air strikes keep Gaza border jumpy
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over iPhone
Protests storm BBC over far-right leader's TV slot
Fed unveils rules to curb 'risk taking' incentive pay
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
Senior Iranian MP casts doubt on atom fuel deal
Jade Goody's Family Wins Damages From Tabloid Over Burial Photos
Europe vows to liberate online shopping
Eyes to the skies for the 'Galilean Nights'
Lil Wayne Pleads Guilty To Gun Charge In Exchange For Lower Jail Sentence
Military aircraft crashes in Afghanistan: official
Cash-strapped Latvia mulls switching from Microsoft
Hunter Tylo Suing Social Worker For Wrongful Death Of Son
Bad breath fights monsters at Japan whacky fair
Mideast atom forum sees brief Israel-Iran dialogue
U.S. details possible Sri Lanka civil war abuses
| International
|
Chris O'Donnell To Receive Humanitarian Award For Charity Work
US new jobless claims up again
French fund invests in YouTube rival Dailymotion
Honduran election body touts vote to solve crisis
| International
|
Jay Sean Reclaims Top Spot From Britney On The Billboard Hot 100
Ethiopia demands food aid for 6.2 million people
Like Windows 7, Vista got good reviews too
Michael Buble's "Crazy Love" Is #1 For A Second Week On The Billboard Albums Chart
French ICRC aid worker kidnapped in Darfur
| International
|
Afghan contender mulls run-off boycott
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over iPhone
Iran lawyer seeks cash to spare young on death row
10 tonnes cocaine found in submarine off Guatemala
| International
|
Ex-"Smallville" Actor Sam Jones Busted Over Drug Charges
Michael Jackson's Kids Unhurt In Paparazzo Minor Car Accident
John Travolta's Extortion Case Ended In Mistrial
Microsoft opens retail store as Windows 7 launches
| Technology
|
Amazon rolls out program to sync Kindle with PCs
| Technology
|
Wal-Mart offers tech support for shoppers
| Technology
|
Pakistan soldiers killed in capital ambush
Two Koreas hold talks on possible summit: report
SKorean president visits Cambodia to boost ties
Lawsuit Alleges Madoff's Office Was A Cocaine Laden, Sex Filled Environment
Newsday To Charge For Online Content
Indonesia's Yudhoyono gets down to business
Update: Obama Hails Committtee's Approval Of New Consumer Watchdog Agency
Sheriff: Clothes, birthmark ID Fla. girl's body
Controversy Erupts Over Police Policy Over Taser Maker's Warning
Asian summit to tackle economic crisis, rights
Hotel-Casino Worker Exposed To Secondhand Smoke Sues Employer For $5 Million
US urging China, Japan to buy less oil from Iran
Hundred U.K. Navy Men Returning To Iraq To Resume Training Of Iraqis
Typhoon set to hit Philippines: forecasters
N.Korea has 20 nuclear-related sites: lawmaker
Doctors, Seniors Disappointed With Senate Vote On Medicare Payment Formula
Dalai Lama to visit disputed Indian state on November8
China ignoring tiger trade: campaign group
Lil Wayne pleads to attempted gun possession
Prosecutor In Charge Of Botched Ted Stevens Corruption Case Resigns
2 Ohio children caged by adoptive parents sue
Investigators ID Somer Thompson's Body In Georgia Landfill
Afghan official says aircraft crashes
Deal on Medicare payments boosts House health bill
House Panel To Vote On Controversial New Consumer Protection Agency
Romer: Impact of stimulus will level off next year
KC man accused of drugging girls, filming them
Navy's newest warships top out at more than 50 mph
Lil Wayne guilty on N.Y. gun charge, headed to prison
| Entertainment
|
Cougars go from crass to cool on TV
| Entertainment
|
New Moon vampires take bite out of Rome film fest
| Entertainment
|
Madonna to lay school's foundation stone in Malawi
| Entertainment
|
Asian summit to tackle economic crisis, rights
Swank soars in old-fashioned Earhart biopic
| Entertainment
|
China's 3Q growth accelerates to 8.9 percent pace
S.Korea to boost investment in Cambodia
A Minute With: Tobin Bell of the Saw horror films
| Entertainment
|
It's always sunny on West Bank's Sesame Street
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan's Evergreen to order up to 100 ships in 2010
HSBC ups stake in Vietnamese group Bao Viet
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee weakens
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $14.48 bln
Taiwan jobless rate falls slightly in September
New Indonesia government sworn in, faces criticism
Indonesian soldier wounded in attack at Freeport
A Minute With: Tobin Bell of the "Saw" horror films
Madonna to lay school's foundation stone in Malawi
Protests storm BBC over far-right leader's TV slot
Kids in Spain get real 'Night at the Museum'
Sweden's Lutheran church to celebrate gay weddings
Climate change map unveiled at London museum
'Julia' was homage to my mother: Meryl Streep
Preview of MJ movie shows him in fine voice
Istanbul exhibit seeks to reveal city's soul
'Twilight' saga's vampires on red carpet in Rome
6.2-magnitude quake hits Afghanistan, Pakistan border: USGS
Google co-founder Brin prefers without Bing
Suicide bomber kills six in Pakistan
| International
|
US to give threatened polar bears vast 'critical habitat'
Red Cross says French employee kidnapped in Darfur
News non-profit links with NY Times for Chicago edition
Long lines as Microsoft opens retail store
Arrests made at event for jailed Iran activist-website
Russian rights trio win top EU assembly prize
Two Koreas held secret talks for summit: report
| International
|
Afghan contender mulls run-off boycott
Newsday.com to begin charging readers
Somalia's Shabaab rebels threaten Uganda, Burundi
| International
|
ASEAN focuses on rights, trade amid tight security
| International
|
Iran, Israel eyeball at Mideast nuke conference
UK troops in Afghanistan could be cut by 2014: General
| International
|
Honduras talks break off again over Zelaya's return
| International
|
US regulators move to protect 'net neutrality'
Wal-Mart offers tech support for shoppers
Amazon rolls out program to sync Kindle with PCs
U.S. sees Israel drill helping Europe missile shield
| International
|
U.S. says concerned by Nicaragua election ruling
| International
|
Iranian lawmaker rejects nuke deal to ship uranium
Judge rejects sheriff's prostitution suit against Craigslist
Police: 14 al-Qaida suspects arrested in Iraq
Israeli court rejects separate West Bank road
Dutch court orders Pirate Bay to remove links
Women Marines want a chance outside the Afghan wire
| International
|
FCC commissioners support open Internet rule
Nokia sues Apple for patent infringement
Microsoft launches Windows 7, eyes PC sales rebound
| Technology
|
Nokia sues Apple for patent infringement
| Technology
|
Wal-Mart offers tech support for shoppers
| Technology
|
Suicide bomber kills six in Pakistan
Six killed in Pakistan suicide attack: police
Report: China building cyberwarfare capabilities
US 'very concerned' over Nicaragua court decision
Minn. court: Bong water can count as illegal drug
Former NYC top cop discussed filing rights suit
UN slams Myanmar, N.Korea, Palestinian rights ills
Scorecard: Obama and high-priced weapons systems
Media rights group criticizes jailing of editor
Massive security at Asian summit in Thailand
Airline crew overshot Minn. airport by 150 miles
Senate roll vote on defense policy bill
Scientist worked on early warning defense systems
Google, Record Labels To Launch Enhanced Music Search Service
Congress extends hate crime protections to gays
Coconuts Mailed To Postmaster To Prevent Closure Of Florida Town Post Office
Accused triggerman guilty of slaying 7 in Indiana
Rock Bands Sue To Know If Songs Were Used In Guantanamo Interrogations
AMEX Reports 21 Percent Earnings Drop, But Still Upbeat
Raids In 19 States Net 300 Members Of Mexican Drug Cartel
GM buys all new shares in S.Korea unit
Obama administration slashes executive salaries
Microsoft launches Windows 7
Seoul shares up 0.5 pct; carmakers, N.Korea plays rally
Korea Hot Stocks
S.Korea T-bonds fall on U.S. lead; GDP eyed
Taiwan to hold meeting on shaping economic policy -paper
Producers Ferdinand, Cole attend film premiere
Bon Jovi unveils world tour
| Entertainment
|
SKorea's Hynix finally swings to profit
Michael Jackson fans say film covers up grim truth
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares open higher; Hynix, Kia Motors rise
China's communists say no to escort girls: state media
MySpace Music videos stream to rival social networks
China BAK sells shares, warrants for $21 mln
'Thriller' zombie tribute to Michael Jackson
Gore, chills in duel at weekend box office
| Entertainment
|
Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris join Rio
| Entertainment
|
Norwegian passes go to win world Monopoly crown
Jay Sean recaptures top slot on singles chart
Three vie for European Film Awards' animation prize
| Entertainment
|
Lawmaker in Travolta mistrial mess blames "rumor"
Bon Jovi unveils world tour
Michael Jackson fans say film covers up grim truth
Robbie Williams to receive career award at BRITs
Jay Sean recaptures top slot on singles chart
| Entertainment
|
Israel investigates pro-settler demo during army parade
Britain still in recession: official data
US-TECH Summary
Developing countries must boost broadband: U.N.
Iran fails to accept U.N.-drafted nuclear deal
| International
|
Amazon's Bezos says Kindle is number one
Russian giant Gazprom eyes US market
Karzai says wants better Afghan election run-off
| International
|
Karadzic boycott threat sets up trial stand-off
| International
|
World trade talks should focus on poor: Gaddafi
| International
|
Thai king makes first appearance in more than month
| International
|
Call for new Moscow poll after votes disappear
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Storm weakens but hundreds flee in Philippines' north
| International
|
Polanski extradition formally requested: Switzerland
Twitter entries satirize works of literature
| Technology
|
Pie-splattered comedian Soupy Sales dies at 83
Nokia says N900 sales delayed to November
| Technology
|
Developing countries must boost broadband: U.N.
| Technology
|
Poll: US belief in global warming is cooling
Garbage trucks lead to discovery of dead Fla. girl
Suicide bomber kills eight in Pakistan
NY officials rescind mandatory H1N1 flu shot order
Education reformer Theodore Sizer dies at 77
Friend: Balloon mom will 'go down with the ship'
Thai king's 1st appearance since hospital spell
Ex-Mariner Johjima ready to 'go wild' at home
Southeast Asian leaders launch new rights body
Thai king's first appearance since hospitalisation
Huge blast rocks Pakistan city Peshawar: witnesses
Fourteen arrested over China mine dispute: govt
UN official slams "abysmal" NKorea rights record
Indonesia's new govt targets 7% growth
Japan orders BNP Paribas to suspend some operations
Sanyo reveals $400 mln loss in first half
Seoul shares end 0.6 pct higher on auto issues
GM's subsidiary raises 412 mln dlrs
Oil spill 'massive' risk to Australian animals
Kia posts record quarterly profit
PREVIEW-S.Korea KB Fin Q3 may fall; other banks to shine
U.S. formally asks Swiss to extradite Polanski
| Entertainment
|
Slapstick TV comedy pioneer Soupy Sales dead at 83
| Entertainment
|
U.S. formally asks Swiss to extradite Polanski
Slapstick TV comedy pioneer Soupy Sales dead at 83
Mozambique's Grande Hotel: from luxury to slum
Japanese university plans huge 'manga' library
Gore, chills in duel at weekend box office
Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris join "Rio"
Three vie for European Film Awards' animation prize
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights