|
Li
said the overall economic situation was better than expected and
he was confident the government would be able to maintain
medium- to high-speed economic growth, despite the difficulties.
"In the first quarter of this year, China's economic indicators
showed more improvement," Li said, but added, "The basis of such
improvement is not solid due to the impact of sluggish world
economy and market volatility."
Li made the remarks during a meeting with the visiting German
foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Top Chinese officials have said the economy was showing signs of
improvement while capital outflows were easing.
The government is due to release key economic data, including
first-quarter economic growth, next week.
China's economic growth slowed to 6.8 percent in the fourth
quarter, its weakest since the financial crisis that began in
2007 and 2008.
Separately, in a paper published on Friday, researchers at the
central bank said China should gradually adjust banks' reserve
requirement ratio (RRR), based on the balance of payments and
economic changes.
The People's Bank of China has cut interest rates six times
since November 2014 and reduced its RRR - the proportion of
deposits banks must hold with the central bank as reserves -
several times, to support the slowing economy.
The central bank is widely expected to cut the RRR further, to
support economic growth.
(Reporting by China Monitoring Desk and Kevin Yao; Editing by
Clarence Fernandez)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
