China's economy grew by 7.4 percent in the third quarter, missing the government's target and falling to its slowest rate of growth since the global financial crisis.

The figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday represent the seventh straight quarter of easing for the world's second largest economy.

Although 7.4 percent growth would be considered strong in many recession-struck countries, the figure is low for China, which has averaged annual growth rates of 10 percent for decades.

But Premier Wen Jabot is still optimistic China can reach its target of 7.5 percent growth for this year, saying on Wednesday the economy is stabilizing and has been "relatively good" the past three months.

中国经济今年第三季度的增长率为7.4%，没有达到政府的预定目标，而且是自全球金融危机爆发以来的最低点。

中国国家统计局星期四发布的数据显示，作为世界第二大经济体的中国连续第七个季度经济增长速度下降。

虽然7.4%的经济增长率在很多经济衰退国家会被视为增长强劲，但在中国则是低速增长，几十年来，中国经济平均年增长率为10%。

然而，中国总理温家宝仍然持乐观态度，认为中国经济增长率今年能达到7.5%的目标。温家宝星期三说，中国经济正在趋于稳定，而且在以往三个月内相对良好。