Consumption strong as nation relies less on external demand

BEIJING - An expected global slowdown next year could hit exports, but China's consumption remains robust as it reduces dependence on external demand, the World Bank (WB) said on Wednesday.

"In China we see a quite different economic growth pattern this year and last because of both domestic and external reasons," said Ardo Hansson, lead WB economist in China, at a press conference releasing the China Quarterly Update.