Econintersect: China has reported GDP growth for the first quarter of 2014 at 
7.4% above the first quarter of last year. Expectations had ranged from 7.3% (Reuters) to 7.5% (Financial Times). This was the lowest rate of growth in 18 months and down from 7.7% in the previous quarter. Comments in the financial press following the announcement indicated that some economists thought the Chinese government would stand pat on the numbers reported while others predicted at least some policy loosening was likely.
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