The latest growth figure has got China-watchers talking. Let's take a look at what the economic experts are saying.
Du Feilun from the Academy of Macroeconomic Research, at China's top planning body - the National Development and Research Commission - says a growth rate of under 7 percent is STILL within a reasonable range. He says 6.9 percent is within official expectations. Small fluctuations around the 7 percent mark is acceptable, and does not break the overall economic growth trend.
Du says China's economic performance is stable, while at the same time pushing forward its social development. And ultimately, 6.9 percent grow is still faster than most countries in the world, as GDP growth in the major economies are under 3 percent.
Du stresses that it is important China is still moving ahead with economic reforms, and upgrading infrastructure. New industries are gathering steam, as new business models. The growth of the service industry in the first three quarters of the year is over 8 percent. He says underlying all this progress, is that China's development is becoming better coordinated and more sustainable.