In 2000, the country achieved 8,940.4 billion yuan in its GDP, up 8 percent from the year 1999, thanks to government efforts to spur domestic demand and adopt pro-active financial policies and robust monetary policy, said Zhu.

Marked progress has been made in economic efficiency, structure adjustment, fixed-assets investment, foreign trade and people’s livelihood, indicating Chinese economy is on the mend and has overcome the Asian Financial Crisis.

This year the country will continue its policies to guarantee economic boost including more intensified financial support of pro-active policies and monetary policy to stimulate demand and propel consumption.

China will also spare no efforts to increase the per capita income in rural and urban areas. Along with the overall economic development and the government encouragement, the country will on a whole see an increase level of consumption.

Zhu also added that the international economy will keep an upturn in its growth although many uncertain factors still exist. As a result, Chinese export is in a large demand.

Zhu promised that China would adjust its maco-control policies to better suit the actual development trend and serve its economic advancement.

At the conference, Zhu also pinpointed some problems in 2000 to be tackled. They include irrational economic structure, unstable basis for economic pickup, and difficult living condition of some people.

(CIIC by Guo Xiaohong 02/28/2001)