China's economy grew 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, slightly more than expected, supported by higher government spending and record bank lending that has stoked concerns about an explosive rise in debt.
The world's second-largest economy expanded 6.7 percent in 2016, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday, roughly in the middle of the government's 6.5-7 percent growth target but still the slowest pace in 26 years.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected China would report 6.7 percent growth for both the fourth quarter and the full year. The economy grew 6.7 percent in the third quarter.
