Update: China’s 2021 GDP Grows 8.1% on Low Base

China’s GDP grew 8.1% in 2021 as the economy’s rapid recovery faded in the second half of the year amid power shortages and turmoil in the real estate sector, official data showed Monday.

The annual growth figure easily met the government’s target of “above 6%” that was set in March. However, this was partly thanks to a low comparison base in 2020, when the economy was disrupted by Covid-19 and grew by a mere 2.2%.