China's economy speeds up to 4.5% growth on an AI export boom while its own consumers keep their wallets shut

September exports rose at their fastest annual pace since July 2010, driving China's global trade surplus to outsized levels. China's National Bureau of Statistics reported on Monday that output grew 1.2 percent on the second quarter. Growth of 4.3 percent from April to June had raised fears of missing the 4.5 to 5 percent target. At home, investment plunged and spending stagnated.

A prolonged housing crash has left Beijing dependent on exports to keep growing.

Western economists are increasingly sceptical of China's official growth statistics.

Independent estimates put recent growth at only half to two-thirds of official figures.