China aims for stable growth as Xi consolidates power

Beijing

CHINA'S growth will stabilise this year, said Premier Li Keqiang in his annual work report to the parliament, during which he announced other major targets for the world's second-largest economy.

To an audience of 3,000 or so hand-picked delegates on Monday, he said that China's economy will grow 6.5 per cent in 2018 - in line with analysts' estimates - and that the yuan exchange rate will remain stable.

China has been gradually lowering its growth targets as it shifts its focus to cleaner more sustainable growth.

Last year, the economy grew by a s…