China is expected to post its slowest growth in a year and a half on Friday, as Beijing struggles to steady an economy shaken by sluggish spending and persistent property sector woes. Analysts surveyed by AFP expect China's economy to have only expanded 4.5 percent in the third quarter of the year.

Asian markets fluctuated Friday after China posted its weakest economic growth in a year and a half, as gold prices hit a record high and following a tepid lead from Wall Street. Gold rose past $2,700 to a new record and crude prices edged up on geopolitical uncertainties after Israel said it killed Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

Asian markets fluctuated Friday after China posted its weakest economic growth in a year and a half, as gold prices hit a record high and following a tepid lead from Wall Street. Gold rose past $2,700 to a new record and crude prices edged up on geopolitical uncertainties after Israel said it killed Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

China is expected to post its slowest growth in a year and a half on Friday, as Beijing struggles to steady an economy shaken by sluggish spending and persistent property sector woes. Analysts surveyed by AFP expect China's economy to have only expanded 4.5 percent in the third quarter of the year.