China GDP growth slows to 4.7% in Q2, missing forecasts

HONG KONG -- China's economic growth slowed to 4.7% in the second quarter from a year earlier, likely amplifying calls for more effective stimulus as Communist Party leaders begin their highly anticipated third plenum in Beijing.

The gross domestic product figure, announced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday, fell short of the 5.3% increase in the January-March quarter and was below a consensus forecast of 5.1% by 30 economists in a Nikkei poll.