Economics and Reforms

China has set its GDP growth target at “around 6.5 percent” for this year, according to the annual Government Work Report to be delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on 5th March.

With that target, the country will also try to achieve better results of growth in actual work this year, according to the report obtained by reporters ahead of the opening of the fifth plenary session of the 12th National People's Congress.

Analysts said the goal is achievable since the economy could have hit the trough last year.

The country will also work to create 11 million new jobs this year and keep its registered unemployment rate below 4.5% in urban areas, the report said.

Regarding consumer inflation, the report shows the country will keep the Consumer Price Index growth at about 3% for this year.

China’s GDP growth was 6.7% last year, the lowest in 26 years, due to weak external demand and domestic economic restructuring. But consumption, which contributed to 64.6% of GDP growth last year, could continue to grow robustly this year to help bolster stable economic growth, analysts said.