China recorded a pronounced deceleration in growth last year, affirming that a continued slowdown is biting the world’s second-largest economy harder with the downward grind expected to persist. The growth rate, released by the government on Tuesday, moderated to 6.8% for the fourth quarter and 6.9% for 2015. Here are five things to know.

#1: The Growth Rate is China's Slowest in 25 Years

The...