China gives positive signals on economy up to a point

Significance

This offers some reassurance in a world economy beset by increased uncertainty. However, the headline figures leave some questions relating to identified risks unanswered.

Impacts

• The economic environment looks less stable than the suspiciously predictable data might suggest.
• Policy support will be needed to ensure the economy does not slow below the government's 6.5-7.0% target for 2016.
• The reverberations of 'Brexit' will pose a novel and significant challenge.