China says economy grew 6.9% in second quarter

Analysts polled by AFP had forecast growth of 6.8 percent after the economy expanded 6.9 percent in the first quarter.

"Generally speaking, the national economy has maintained the momentum of steady and sound development in the first half of 2017, laying a solid foundation for achieving the annual target and better performance," national statistics bureau spokesman Xing Zhihong said.

"However, we must be aware that there are still many unstable and uncertain factors abroad and long-term structural contradictions remain prominent at home," Xing said.