Will the Dragon Falter?

China’s economic growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2014 was recorded at 7.2%, marking its slowest growth since the first quarter of 2009.

According to Fars News Agency, citing Reuters, this growth rate falls short of the Chinese government’s target of 7.5% for 2014. With a 7.3% growth rate between June and September, it is evident that China failed to meet its annual economic goal.

Back in 2009, during the height of the global financial crisis, China’s growth rate stood at 6.6%. The fourth quarter of 2014 represents the country's slowest economic expansion since then.