China economic growth slows in second quarter

The economy expanded by 6.7% in April-June, down from 6.8% in the first quarter, while June factory output growth weakened to a two-year low of 6%. A spokesman for China's national statistics bureau said that Beijing's battle to rein in pollution and spiralling debt levels had crimped growth.

The property market, one of the economy's key drivers, also slowed, as property investment posted its weakest growth in six months in June, with sales also cooling.