Chinese economy grows but warning signs still persist

China’s economy expanded slightly faster than expected in the second quarter, new data shows, but private investment growth shrank to a record low, suggesting future weakness which could pressure the country’s government to roll out more support measures.

Property investment, which has given the world’s second-largest economy a welcome boost in recent months by spurring demand for products from cement to steel, also showed signs of fatigue in June, with growth cooling for a second month.

While fears of a hard landing have eased, investors worry a further slowdown in China and any major fallout from Brexit would leave the world even more vulnerable to the risk of a global recession.