China's GDP expanded 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic and rising economic challenges. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that China's GDP grew 9.8 percent year on year in the first three quarters to hit a total of 82.31 trillion yuan, or $12.8 trillion dollars.

What does the number tell us about China's economic development? How does this reflect people's lifestyle changes? And what are the challenges ahead?

To discuss these questions and more, we've invited Einar Tangen, independent current affairs commentator; Wang Dan, chief economist of Hang Seng Bank China; and Hong Hao, chief strategist at the Bank of Communications International.