China’s latest economic data has confirmed what analysts have warned for months: the slowdown is accelerating. New figures show a sharp fall in fixed‑asset investment, weakening factory output, and a property sector still at risk of major defaults. Industrial production has slowed to its weakest pace this year, while long‑term investment — a key indicator of business confidence — has recorded its steepest decline for this period on record. Behind the numbers lies a deeper problem: a loss of confidence among companies, manufacturers and households. Property developers remain under strain, banks across Asia face exposure to potential defaults, and global markets are watching closely for spillover effects. Despite these pressures, China still appears on track to reach near its 5% annual growth target — but the headline figure masks the structural weaknesses beneath. The world’s second‑largest economy is still struggling to regain momentum.