Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said here Friday that the economic growth target of seven percent is Within reach.
Zhu said this at a press conference hosted by the just closed annual session of the National People's Congress.
The seven percent growth target was set after having considered various factors, including the slowdown in the world economy, and can be met, he said.
The actual operation of the economy in the first quarter this year has been "better than I had expected," Zhu stressed.
The National Statistics Bureau predicts that China's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow 7.5 percent in the first three months this year over the same period of last year, he said.
"That gives me more confidence that the seven percent growth target can be met," Zhu said
(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2002)
