China to grow steadily in 2014: think tank

HEFEI - China's GDP growth in 2014 may approach the 7.7 percent recorded last year, a government think tank said on Thursday.

Li Wei, head of the Development Research Center of the State Council, made the prediction at a conference here, citing that China is faced with slightly improving external situations yet downward pressures at home.

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Propelled by the recovering global economy but dragged down by waning market share, China can achieve trade growth of around 8 percent this year, Li said.

Back at home, shrinking demand, overcapacity problems and low profit margins will slow China's investment in the manufacturing sector, according to Li.

In addition, high government debt ratio and decreasing revenue from land sales will likely result in cuts in government spending on infrastructure, he predicted.

Meanwhile, he added, new home construction may also be slashed given the high stockpiles of homes in third and fourth-tier cities, where supply has exceeded demands.

As a result, China's fixed asset investment growth may fall to around 18 percent in 2014, the conference heard.

A relatively lower GDP growth rate of around 7.5 percent can create an easy environment for China's economic reform and restructuring, and it can also prepare small economic entities for medium growth speed, Li said.

China will officially announce its GDP target in March.

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