China’s latest economic growth figures have topped expectations, with the economy growing at 6.9 percent in 2017.

This was above a government target of 6.5 percent, according to official figures released on Thursday, and an improvement on 2016’s figure in which the world’s second largest economy expanded by 6.8 percent.

This will come as a pleasant surprise to analysts, who have been concerned over the financial risks in China as the government underwent a restructuring programme.

The government is aiming to keep its growth at 6.5 percent in 2018.