The Chinese economy remains on a solid footing despite a more complicated domestic and external environment, according to the National Bureau of Statistics， Xinhua reported. 

"The economic performance is generally stable in July, with progress being made," Liu Aihua, NBS spokesperson, told a press conference Tuesday.

Dragged by cooling infrastructure investment, growth of fixed-asset investment slowed to 5.5 percent in the first seven months of the year, down from 6 percent in the first half of the year and continuing a downward trend since the beginning of the year.

Liu attributed the slowdown in infrastructure investment to a higher comparative base from last year, the government's efforts to regulate public-private partnership projects and higher environmental standards.

Although some indicators showed slight pullback in growth, Liu said the economic structure had been optimizing, with better quality and efficiency, which would lay a sound foundation for growth in the coming period.