China sure to achieve medium-high growth in 2016: spokesperson

BEIJING - China is confident of achieving medium to high-speed economic growth in 2016 on the back of sound economic fundamentals and the country's reform campaign, a spokesperson with the annual session of the national political advisory body said Wednesday.

"Viewed against the backdrop of the performance of international economies, China's 6.9-percent growth in 2015 is outstanding, and the Chinese economy is expanding with good quality," said Wang Guoqing, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 12th National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), at a press conference ahead of the annual session beginning Thursday.

Wang said China is confident of achieving solid growth despite a complex global situation.

"The fundamentals of China's economy remain sound. It is resilient, full of potential and has ample wiggle room. The economic data in January showed positive signs," he said.

China is on a painful journey of economic re-balancing, trying to ditch its over-reliance on manufacturing and wasteful investment in favor of domestic consumption and services.

"China is seeing good momentum in its structural reforms," Wang said.

The CPPCC has been considering how to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship and improve financial services, and will make suggestions to the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.