China’s economy expanded 5.2% in the second quarter from a year earlier, marginally beating the 5.1% consensus and keeping Beijing on track to meet its full-year growth goal of “around 5%.” On a seasonally adjusted basis, output rose 1.1% from the previous quarter, National Bureau of Statistics data showed on Tuesday. June activity figures were mixed. Industrial production grew 6.8% year-on-year, the fastest pace since March and well above expectations, as manufacturers front-loaded exports ahead of higher US tariffs. Retail sales, however, slowed to 4.8%, the weakest reading since January–February and below market forecasts, signalling fragile household demand. The surveyed urban unemployment rate held at 5.0%. Economists said the headline GDP beat masks underlying headwinds from a protracted property slump, soft consumer spending and the risk that Washington’s 145% tariff on Chinese imports—imposed in April after a temporary truce—will weigh more heavily in the second half. Analysts widely expect Beijing to step up fiscal support and targeted monetary easing when top leaders meet later this month to shore up momentum.