By Kevin Yao BEIJING, Jan 15 (Reuters) - China’s economic growth is likely to slow to 4.5% in 2026 and maintain the same pace in 2027, a Reuters poll showed, piling pressure for more stimulus as policymakers look to address deep structural vulnerabilities to underpin the nation's longer-term health.

New tech sectors still account for a far smaller portion of China's economy than the gap left by the real estate slump.

China pledged to broaden its fiscal spending base in 2026, signaling sustained government support to drive growth in a challenging external environment.

China's economy likely grew last year at its weakest rate in three decades, outside of the pandemic, according to an AFP survey of analysts ahead of official data on Monday.

Shipments to Asean and Africa surged to drive a record US$1.19 trillion surplus for China, offsetting headwinds as leaders push to boost local demand.

China's factory activity returned to marginal expansion in December, as stronger production and domestic demand offset a decline in foreign orders, a private-sector survey showed on Wednesday.

“IMAX expects to grow global box office again in 2026” the company said in a statement. China stands out in the IMAX universe as home to the world’s largest number of IMAX screens – 787 -- compared with 424 in the United States.

Chinese carmakers sold more than 2.6 million units to overseas markets last year, up 104 per cent from a year earlier, association says.