landing - Economy grew 9.7 percent
 
China's economy grew 9.7 percent in the first half of 2004, the National Bureau of Statistics reported on Friday. Economic output grew to US$ 711.5 billion.
"Consumer prices rose 3.6 percent in the first half of the year, the bureau said. That was below the 5 percent level that officials have said might prompt the central bank to consider raising interest rates for the first time in nine years," according to AP.
The open question is whether this is the beginning of a soft landing or that of a mor rough one.