China's GDP

“It's not just slowing,” said Adam Posen at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “It's slowing after being slow for quite some time.”

There is a longstanding debate about whether the data is accurate. Some are skeptical of government officials’ projections of 5% growth.

Consumers helped push GDP 4.9% higher in the third quarter. But they may not be able to do much more.

Reformers hope the lack of an economic growth target means policymakers can move beyond short-term thinking toward longer-term priorities.