BEIJING, July 15 Reuters China39;s economy expanded 4.7 in the second quarter from a year earlier, official data showed on Monday, missing analysts39; expectations, even as policymakers seek to boost domestic demand amid a protracted property downturn.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected secondquarter gross domestic product GDP to expand 5.1 from a year earlier, slowing slightly from 5.3 in the previous three months.

The government is aiming for economic growth of around 5.0 for 2024, a target that many analysts believe is ambitious and may require more stimulus.

On a quarterbyquarter basis, GDP expanded 0.7 in AprilJune, below expectations for a 1.1 rise and compared with a revised 1.5 gain in the previous quarter.

Analysts expect policymakers to take more steps to support the economy amid the property downturn, mounting local government debts and weak privatesector spending.

Reporting by Kevin Yao and Joe Cash; Editing by Sam Holmes

Source Reuters