China has set a growth target of seven percent for 2004, the same as it had planned for this year, when the economy is believed to have grown more than eight percent.

The target is in line with the government's long-term goal of a sustainable average seven percent annual growth between 2001 and 2005.

Head of the State Development and Reform Commission, Ma Kai, says economic development is not everything for the government, and more energy should be put into other indicators such as education, health, the environment and social welfare.

He adds the seven percent target aims to cultivate a scientific approach to social development.

The economy is expected to grow an annual eight and a half percent this year, faster than last year's eight percent.

(CRI December 2, 2003)