China looks all but certain to hit its growth goal of about 5 per cent for 2023, shifting attention to whether deflation risks, the housing crisis and a lingering confidence crunch will derail efforts to build momentum this year. Data due on Wednesday will likely show China’s gross domestic product expanded 5.2 per cent for the entirety of last year, even as the economy probably lost some steam in the fourth quarter. Retail sales and industrial output are also seen growing in December from a year earlier against a low base of comparison — in late 2022, the country was dealing with a massive COVID-19 outbreak. The start of the year…
