China's economy expands steadily despite headwinds

Ships are seen at Chaotianmen wharf in southwest China's Chongqing, April 7, 2019. China's GDP expanded 6.3 percent year on year in the first half of 2019 to about 45.09 trillion yuan (about 6.6 trillion U.S. dollars), according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on July 15, 2019. The growth was in line with the government's annual target of 6-6.5 percent set for 2019. In the second quarter, the country's GDP rose 6.2 percent year on year, lower than 6.4 percent in the first quarter, according to the data. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)