The statistics bureau also said that in the first eight months, real estate sales continued to strengthen, showing 8 percent year-on-year growth. However, the booming sales have not stimulated investment in the sector. The amount of new property being built has fallen by 17.9 percent, the bureau said.

Economists said there is still room to strengthen policies. More government spending is expected on roads, waterworks and other public projects, which can offset the slowdown in capital spending on real estate and manufacturing, they said.

Measures to stabilize growth should not delay the ongoing transformation from an export and investment-driven growth model to one dominated by service and consumption, they said.