Li Keqiang, Premier of China, Says Economic Growth Rate to Exceed 6% This Year

Prime Minister Li: "Growth Rate Could Be Higher in Actual Operation"
Most Domestic and International Chinese Experts Forecast 8% Growth This Year

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Premier Li Keqiang of China predicted that China's economic growth rate this year will exceed '6%'.

According to the Chinese State Council's official website, Government.cn, on the 23rd, Premier Li said during a video conference with foreign delegations attending the 'China Development Forum' the previous day, "Setting this year's economic growth target at '6% or above' reflects not only the current recovery situation but also aims to further solidify the foundation for development."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Premier Li further predicted that "(the growth rate) could be higher in actual operation." He emphasized the importance of solid economic growth, even if somewhat lower for now, rather than artificial economic stimulus that could cause various side effects.

He stated, "While maintaining economic stability, we must improve the quality of development through sufficient employment guarantees, increased residents' income, ecological environment improvement, and economic structural advancement." He added, "We need to move away from exchanging economic growth for massive energy consumption and large-scale pollution, and maintain a good balance among growth, income, and employment."

Earlier, Premier Li presented the economic growth target of '6% or above' for this year in the annual plenary session work report of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Experts generally evaluate that the '6% or above' economic growth target set by China this year is conservative, and they expect China to actually achieve an economic growth rate in the 8% range.