China's GDP Grows 9.4% in 3rd Quarter

China's third-quarter gross domestic product grew 9.4% from a year earlier, slightly faster than expected, the government statistics office said, warning that imbalances in trade and investment threatened economic stability.

It was the ninth successive quarter of annual growth of 9% or higher, and followed rises of 9.5% in the second quarter and 9.4% in the first. Economists had expected growth of 9.3%.

Beijing is striving to maintain fast growth while rebalancing the mix by promoting domestic demand, especially consumption, in order to reduce China's reliance on investment and exports and stifle U.S. criticism of its swelling trade surplus.