Shares of Australia's mining titans rose on Thursday after China reported better-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) data.

China's GDP data showed that the economy expanded by 4.5%, meeting the company's full-year growth target of 5%.

Fortescue (ASX:FMG) rose nearly 2% and Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) rose 3%. The materials sector rose 0.3% despite the S&P/ASX 200 closing flat with negative bias.

The benchmark February iron ore on the Singapore Exchange rose to $103.75 per tonne in recent trade.