New Delhi, July 2 -- Despite trade disruptions, sluggish domestic consumption, a lingering property sector crisis and threat of deflation, the Chinese economy has managed reasonable growth. Mint examines the sustainability of this growth and measures China can take to emerge unscathed.

Despite the disruptions to trade, caused by a trade war with the US that briefly saw Washington impose tariffs running into an unbelievable three digits, China's merchandise exports remained robust. In the first five months of 2025, they have risen by 6%. This, notwithstanding a 35% fall in exports in May to the US-its biggest market. Domestic demand is good, too. Retail sales in the first four months of 2025 grew by 4.8%, a good 1.5 percentage point bette...