Distorted economy persists as export drive masks weak domestic demand

20251223N China Economy

Exports have shored up China’s economic growth this year, but domestic demand remains weak. © Reuters

KENSAKU IHARA

December 25, 2025 15:05 JST

HONG KONG — China economists expect the country’s real gross domestic product to grow 4.5% in 2026 on average, a Nikkei survey shows, with tariff headwinds easing but the economy still facing weak domestic demand stemming from the prolonged property market slump.