The Guardian-China sets modest GDP target as it faces regional tensions and an ageing population
March 5, 2024 2 min 316 words
中国政府将2024年的经济增长目标定为5%，与分析师对经济谨慎预期一致，面对地区紧张局势和老龄化人口。在周二的“两会”全国人民代表大会上，中国总理李强在年度政府工作报告中谈到了中国领导人面临的“挑战”，包括全球经济和地区紧张局势，以及国内劳动力市场中低消费需求等问题。李指出，尽管疫情已经过去，但一些中国经济问题可能是结构性的，如老龄人口和工人减少。官方数据显示，截至2023年，中国的劳动年龄人口占经济的61%，较2013年的68%有所下降。李在报告中还宣布了其他目标，包括新增1200万城镇就业和将消费价格提高约3%。李表示，这些目标“不会轻松”，但“高质量发展”仍然是首要任务。这一报道揭示了中国在面临多方面挑战的背景下，采取了温和的经济目标，以谨慎因应当前的全球和国内形势。
China has set its target for GDP growth at 5%, in line with analysts’ expectations for another year of modest ambitions for the economy, amid regional tensions and its demographic crisis.
China’s premier, Li Qiang, spoke of the “challenges” facing China’s leaders as he delivered his annual government work report on Tuesday. He cited the global economy and regional tensions as hurdles for China’s recovery, as well as domestic issues such as low consumer demand in a challenging labour market.
Li was speaking at the opening session of the National People’s Congress, China’s annual parliamentary gathering.
The 5% target is in line with 2023’s goal, which was notably restrained as China emerged from three years of strict zero-Covid measures which battered the economy.
But with the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, there are signs that some of China’s economy challenges may be structural, such as the ageing population and shrinking pool of workers. Official data released in January revealed that China’s working-age population accounted for 61% of the economy, down from 68% in 2013.
According to official statistics, China’s GDP grew by 5.2% in 2023. But independent economists estimate that the actual growth rate was lower, with analysts at Rhodium putting it at 1.5%.
Other targets announced by Li on Tuesday include the creation of 12m new urban jobs and increasing consumer prices by about 3%. China’s consumer price index fell by 0.8% in January, the fourth straight month of decline.
Li said the targets would “not be easy” but that “high quality development” remained the priority.
Li was speaking at this year’s Two Sessions, the concurrent meetings of China’s parliament and top consultative body. In a break with precedent, Li will not be answering questions directly from the press this year.