China’s economy held steady in the first eleven months of 2017. Fixed asset investment (FAI) climbed 7.2 per cent for the January-November period, down from 7.3 per cent in the first ten months.

Investment in property development rose 7.5 per cent from a year earlier, edging down from 7.8 per cent in the first ten months.

Infrastructure investment, which accounts for more than 20 per cent of the total FAI, surged 20.1 per cent for the January-November period year on year, the pace of growth accelerating from 19.6 per cent for January-October.

Online shopping promotion, retail sales grew 10.2 per cent in November, up from ten per cent the previous month. Sales at Alibaba, China’s largest e-commerce platform, hit a record high on November 11.

Consumption will stay robust on the back of higher incomes and is expected to stay a pillar for economic growth next year.

The country’s GDP grew 6.9 per cent in the first nine months, above the target of around 6.5 per cent for the year. GDP growth is expected to be 6.8 per cent this year.

The steady economic growth will give policy makers more leeway to control risks, reduce poverty and tackle pollution.

More of the impact from the ongoing clean air campaign will come in December and the first quarter of 2018.