China’s economy recorded its slowest annual expansion in a quarter of a century in 2015, growing 6.9% compared to the year before to CNY67.67 trillion, largely in line with the government’s target of around 7%, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced. However, fourth-quarter growth, at 6.8%, was worse than expected. Gross domestic product (GDP) was CNY67.67 trillion last year, with the service sector accounting for 50.5%, the first time it had exceeded 50%. The economy still “ran within a reasonable range” last year, with its structure further optimized, upgrading accelerated, new growth drivers strengthened and people’s lives improved, NBS Director Wang Baoan told a press conference. “China, although slowing in growth, remained a global economic star performer,” said Ajay Dayal, Investment Director at Legg Mason. slowing, China still contributed more than 25% of global economic growth. The growth was led by the service sector, which gained 8.3% to CNY34.16 trillion. The manufacturing sector added 6% to CNY27.43 trillion. Agriculture rose 3.9% to CNY6.08 trillion. Industrial production rose 6.1%, weakening from the acceleration of 8.3% in 2014. Fixed-asset investment (FAI) added 10%, also less than the rise of 15.7% a year earlier, with investment in the property sector edging up just 1%. Retail sales growth moderated to 10.7%.