China's economic slowdown deepened in the three months to the end of September, as the country struggles to revive flagging growth.
Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.6% on an annual basis, below the government's 5% annual target, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics.
However, those numbers were slightly better than expected, while other numbers released Friday, including retail sales and factory production, also beat forecasts.
In recent weeks, Beijing has announced a number of measures aimed at supporting growth.
This is the second consecutive quarter that China's official measure of economic growth has fallen below the 5% target, which will only add to the government's concerns.
Earlier on Friday, China's central bank said it had called on banks and other financial institutions to increase lending to support growth.
Last month, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) announced the country's largest stimulus package since the pandemic, including significant cuts in interest rates and mortgage rates.
The plans also included aid to the flagging stock market and measures to encourage banks to lend more to businesses and individuals.
Since then, the Finance Ministry and other government agencies have unveiled other plans to boost economic growth.
The world's second-largest economy has been hit by a number of challenges, including a housing crisis, as well as low consumer and business confidence.
