China's economy expanded by 9.6 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2011, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Wednesday.

Gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 9.5 percent in the second quarter, tapering off slightly from the 9.7-percent growth posted in the first quarter, NBS spokesman Sheng Laiyun told a press conference.

According to preliminary statistics, the country's GDP reached 20.446 trillion yuan (3.146 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first six months, Sheng said.

He noted the country's economic performance was "generally good" and had developed according to macro-economic regulation in the first half. (Xinhua)