The Chinese economy has a habit of beating expectations. For ten years in a row, from 2001 to 2010, its growth rate exceeded the imf's spring forecast, often by a big margin. But this year it is likely to disappoint. In recent months, industrial output has slowed sharply; stocks of unsold goods are piling up; and Shanghai's stockmarket is at a three-year low. For the first time this century, in 2012 China's growth rate may dip below 8%. With the world ever more dependent on China's economy, that is worrying.
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