China's economy grew 8.1% in 2021

China's economy grew by 8.1% in 2021 but Beijing faces pressure to shore up activity after an abrupt slowdown in the second half. The GDP was 18 trillion US dollars in 2021.China's GDP growth was 2.2% in 2020.

In the final three months of 2021, growth of the world's second-largest economy sank to 4% over a year earlier, government data showed Monday. That was down from the previous quarter's 4.9% and an eye-popping 18.3% in the first three months of 2021.

The recovery also has been hampered by coronavirus outbreaks that have prompted Chinese leaders to impose travel controls or outright lockdowns on cities.

The worsening weakness toward the end of 2021 is prompting suggestions Beijing needs to intervene to prop up growth with interest rate cuts or by injecting money into the economy through public works spending.

Shortly before the growth data were announced, the Chinese central bank on Monday announced a rate cut on medium-lending to commercial banks to its lowest level since 2020.