Analysts and federal authorities remained optimistic on China's fiscal strength even as the world's second-largest economy slowed down in the third quarter.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday, the latest period was the slowest for China's economy since early 2009. China's GDP growth decelerated to 9.1 per cent in the third quarter this year from 9.5 per cent in the second quarter and 9.7 per cent in the first quarter.

However, figures released last week showed industrial output and retail sales accelerated faster in September. Consumer prices reached 6.1 per cent, surpassing a 4 percent target.

"The latest data won't trigger any sudden change in monetary or fiscal policy, but looking ahead the overall direction is likely to be easing," economist Yao Wei told Bloomberg News. "Consumption has held up quite well."

Even Chinese central bank adviser Xia Bin believed the nation's growth "remains sound" and had developed according to the "prudent" monetary policy earlier instituted by government.

"I don't believe China will launch another round of major economic stimulus," Xia said in Bloomberg.

China's GDP corresponded to $5.01 trillion in the first nine months of the year, a 9.4 per cent hike from a year ago.

China's economy dampened after expansions in banks' reserve requirements and interest rates.

Foreign direct investment in China grew only 7.9 per cent to $9 billion from a year ago. It was the smallest recorded advancement in three months. It compared weakly to the 11.1 per cent in August and 19.8 per cent in July. Spending in the first nine months jumped 16.6 per cent to $86.7 billion.

"With growth still solid and inflation above 6 per cent, we expect no change in the overall macro policy stance soon," economist Wang Tao said in the Financial Times.

"However, weakening external demand and property construction are expected to slow investment and production notably in the coming months. We expect the government to ease fiscal and credit policy either in late 2011, or more likely, in early 2012."