China’s economy grows at 4.3%, one of its lowest rates on record

Monthly car exports topped 1m for the first time in June, but Wednesday’s statistical release showed domestic vehicle sales fell by more than 16%. Photograph: VCG/Getty Images

China has posted worse-than-expected growth figures for the three months to June as its economy expanded by just 4.3% – one of its lowest quarterly readings on record.

The rate, which came in under the government’s target of 4.5% to 5%, was one of the weakest since reporting on official quarterly GDP figures began in the early 1990s.