China Said to Target 7.5% Export Growth in 2014

The Chinese government is targeting export growth of about 7.5 percent in 2014, three people with direct knowledge of the matter said, setting sights lower than last year’s pace.

The goal, based on the U.S. dollar value of sales, has been distributed to economy-related ministries and local governments to serve as an internal guideline for planning, said the people, who asked not to be named as they aren’t authorized to speak to the media. Overseas shipments rose 7.9 percent in 2013, according to official data, as the government targeted 8 percent growth in exports and imports combined.