Xi Calls for Efforts to Hit Growth Target Before Lawmakers Meet

  • Xi urged officials to strive in next two months to reach goal
  • Economists debate size and scope of expected fiscal stimulus

Xi Jinping

Photographer: Kazuki Kozaki/AFP/Getty Images
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Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated a call to achieve the country’s annual economic target, signaling a growing sense of urgency ahead of a key legislative meeting expected to approve new fiscal support for the world’s No. 2 economy.

The Chinese leader told senior party officials on Tuesday to fully implement a package of existing and new policies in the next two months, the People’s Daily reported. It was at least the fourth time in two months Xi openly emphasized a need to reach the goal of expanding the economy around 5% this year.