【财经看点】中国三季度GDP高于预期

China's GDP registered at 5 year low China's gross domestic product or GDP has been registered at 7.3-percent in the third quarter, hitting a five year low. In the first nine months, the GDP expanded 7.4-percent year on year, to reach 42 trillion yuan or some 7 trillion U.S. dollars. The GDP numbers roughly fell in line with the government's goal of around 7.5 percent this year. Sheng Laiyun is the spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics. "Even though there is a slow down in the third quarter's GDP (Gross Domestic Product), the employment rate and prices are generally stable. The national economy is currently in a reasonable situation." The authority also revealed that in the first three quarters China's industrial production growth slowed to 8.5 percent year on year, down 0.3 percentage points from that of the first half. Growth in retail sales also slowed down. Real Estate investment continued to ease this quarter. Policy makers have stepped up their efforts to nurture economic growth over the past few months, including easing mortgage restrictions and accelerating infrastructure investment. For more on the new GDP readings, CRI's Zhao Yang spoke earlier with Liu Baocheng, Associate Professor at the Business School of the University of International Business and Economics. … That is Liu Baocheng, Associate Professor at the Business School of the University of International Business and Economics. China's Sept. fiscal revenue grew 6-percent year on year China's national fiscal revenue last month has risen more than 6 percent year on year, coming to nearly 1 trillion yuan. That is equivalent to more than 160 billion U.S. dollars. But the growth rate is lower than the same period last year. The Ministry of Finance attributes the slowdown to the increase of tax refunds in exports and a decline of taxes in imports. Fiscal revenues for local governments recorded growth of over 6.5 percent, same as August. But the rate also fell from a year ago, due to a drop of tax income in the property sector. Less international tourists came to China last year China Tourism Academy says the country recorded a 3-percent drop in inbound tourists last year. The Annual Report on China Inbound Tourism Development finds that unconventional factors like terrorism and smog have prevented more international tourists from choosing China as their destinations. Dai Bin is head of China Tourism Academy. "Top tourism destinations, especially cities, should make tourists' satisfaction a priority. They should create an environment that can be enjoyed by both locals and travellers. Tourists should feel that travelling in China can be fun, high-quality, and they should feel welcomed. The development of inbound tourism should also pay great attention to issues like extreme weather, smog, food security, and terrorism, and authorities should be prepared for emergencies." The report adds that neighboring countries have also joined in the tourism market, competing for a bigger share with China. But it is noted that the number of inbound travellers has rallied slightly in the third quarter of this year, signaling a recovery in the industry. Apple raise fourth quarter revenue forecast, release Apple Pay Apple has raised its forth quarter revenue forecast to 66.5 billion U.S. dollars, after a 16 percent jump in iPhone sales and strong growth in Mac computer shipments. The new iPhone, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, marks Apple's best product launch on record. This also helped to push overall smartphone sales to nearly 40 million units in the third quarter, beating market expectation of 38 million. The company also posted its best sales in Macs in almost three years, up more than 20 percent. But the sales of iPads slid for the third straight quarter, falling more than 7 percent from the previous quarter and down 13 percent from a year ago. This is also a result of a gradual decline of tablet demand worldwide. Apple has also launched its mobile payment service, Apple Pay, in the U.S. The technology uses a chip in the iPhone to complete a transaction at a store or online. The chip substitutes payment information and transmits it securely and anonymously to the credit card company. China to pitch high-speed trains to California China's CNR Corporation is making a pitch to sell its high-speed trains to California. CNR's Tangshan Railway and U.S. based SunGroup are submitting an expression of interest on a 68 billion U.S. dollar high-speed rail project. The contract would include supplying up to 95 trains. Manufacturers are expected to send in expressions of interest by the end of this month to the California High Speed Railway Authority. About a dozen firms from places such as Japan and Spain are likely to compete as well.