BEIJING (AP) - China’s shaky economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is gaining strength as consumers return to shopping malls and auto dealerships while the United States and Europe endure painful contractions.Growth in the world’s second-largest economy accelerated to 4.9% over a year earlier in the three months ending in September, up from the previous quarter's 3.2%, official data showed Monday.
Retail spending rebounded to above pre-virus levels for the first time and factory output rose, boosted by demand for exports of masks and other medical supplies.China is the only major economy that is expected to grow this year while activity in the United States, Europe and Japan shrinks.RELATED: Mitch McConnell slates October revote.