China’s Economy Slows as Property Slump Deepens China is likely to set a floor for economic growth of 5% next year as it tries to balance a desire to rein in the real-estate sector with the need for stability in a year of crucial political change. That’s the consensus among economists after year-on-year growth weakened to below that threshold in the second half of this year. The target would represent a sizable drop from pre-pandemic growth rates that were closer to 7%, and reflect expectations that Beijing will persist with its efforts to reduce its reliance on real estate even at the cost of slower growth. The government sets a growth target for the economy in most years. Of the 10 economists predictions compiled by Bloomberg News, seven see officials aiming for growth of 5% or higher in 2022, with three others seeing the possibility of a goal slightly […]