China's economic growth has slowed to its lowest level since 1991, with the world's second largest economy hurt in part by weak trade.
The National Bureau of Statistics released a report Monday showing that the economy expanded 7.5 percent over a year earlier in the three months ending in June, down from the previous quarter's 7.7 percent.
Economist Ren Xianfang of IHS Global Insight said China's growth of under 8 percent for five straight quarters is "a clear sign of distress."
The statistics bureau said the slowdown was a result of weak economic conditions abroad and a result of reforms taken by the new government that the report says will benefit its economy in the long run.
There is no indication so far that Beijing will respond with any major stimulus or shift in economic policy.
The economic slowdown, along with a decrease in Chinese demand for various goods, could have global repercussions.