China's GDP grew 6.8 percent, year-on-year, in the first half of 2018. This comes as the second quarter saw a 6.7 percent growth, slightly down from 6.8 percent in the first quarter. What is the outlook for the second half of the year? China's ongoing restructuring efforts and trade friction between the world's two largest economies will factor into it. CGTN's Wei Lynn Tang reports.

China's economic growth checked in at 6.8 percent for the first half of 2018. This comes as second-quarter growth alone was 6.7 percent, in line with consensus forecasts.

The National Bureau of Statistics says development was steady and sound, with increased focus on restructuring as drivers of growth.

While the bureau spokesperson believes any impact from US trade frictions will be limited, China maintains a cautious "wait-and-see" approach. This comes as any significant impact has yet to be seen, as two-way tariffs only kicked in, in the first week of July.

MAO SHENGYONG SPOKESPERSON, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS "Since the world economy is highly integrated, the international supply chain and global trade growth will be affected. As far as the impact towards China's consumer prices, we think it's quite stable for the time being. We may see an increase in prices for soybeans and related products, but the ratio of soybean in the CPI is quite low. So we expect CPI to maintain a moderate rise in the second half. This is also supported by the country's moderate fiscal and monetary policy."

WEI LYNN TANG BEIJING "China believes it is able to still achieve a steady growth in the second half of 2018, despite increasing external uncertainties. The country said it will continue to adhere to supply-side structural reform, continuously expand effective demand, and revitalize the real economy."

Meanwhile, Mao dismissed suggestions that China's consumption is weakening.

MAO SHENGYONG SPOKESPERSON, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS "Looking forward to the second half, consumption will still be able to sustain a steady and rather fast pace of growth. Among the reasons: a rise in resident income. In the first half of the year, the national per capita disposable income saw a nominal growth of 8.7 percent year-on-year. Also, China has been enlarging its imports to boost consumption upgrades."

The statistics bureau also says China's economic structure continues to be optimized. Consumption's contribution to economic growth has now reached 78.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the growth rate of the value added by the tertiary industry is now 54.3 percent of the GDP, 13.9 percentage points higher than that of the secondary industry.

In a nutshell, the bureau said China's economic indicators in the first half are stable, with June's unemployment rate of 4.8 percent having hovered below 5 percent for three straight months.

As all eyes continue to be on the world's second-largest economy, China has again reaffirmed its stance of pursuing high-quality growth as a benchmark. WLT, CGTN, Beijing.