Weak exports retard China's growth

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Annual growth in China's gross domestic product (GDP) slowed in the first quarter of 2009 to 6.1pc, the National Bureau of Statistics has announced, reports BBC.
This is the weakest growth since quarterly records began in 1992, but some analysts see signs of a recovery.
Growth was 6.8pc in the last quarter of 2008, but the first quarter GDP figure dropped as exports fell 17pc in March.
There has been a recognition among Chinese state officials that too sharp an economic slowdown could lead to growing unemployment and may fuel social unrest.