China's President Xi Jinping has silenced prominent economist Gao Shanwen after he raised doubts about the reliability of official GDP data and Beijing’s ability to help bolster economic growth, The Wall Street Journal reported,

Gao Shanwen questioned Beijing’s ability to boost its economy as threats loom from a property meltdown and burgeoning debt.

China’s economic growth is expected to be around 5% for the full year of 2024, according to President Xi Jinping, signaling the world’s second-largest economy is on track to meet its official target.

The analysis reportedly angered President Xi Jinping, who has pledged more proactive measures to stir China's stagnant economy.