The world’s 2nd-largest economy delivered lower-than-expected growth for July, according to new official numbers. China just avoided an economic contraction in the April-June quarter after lengthy lockdowns in major centres like Shanghai – but fresh COVID outbreaks in July saw new lockdown measures imposed across the country. Add to that a debt-laden property market, a series of surprise interest rate cuts, and plunging consumer confidence, and the result has been a slowing economy. July saw retail sales (up 2.7%) and industrial output (up 3.8%) grow, but at a slower rate than expected. Economists warn of a fragile economic situation developing in the coming months. And as if they didn’t have enough on their plates, officials are busy with a 2nd lot of US politicians making an unannounced appearance in Taiwan. There’s no word yet from Beijing…