China sets this year's growth target at 'around 5%' to revive economy

China's government announced plans for a consumer-led revival of the struggling economy as its legislature opened a session Sunday that will tighten President Xi Jinping's control over business and society.

Premier Li Keqiang, the top economic official, set this year's growth target at around 5 per cent following the end of anti-virus controls that kept millions of people at home and triggered protests. Last year's growth in the world's second-largest economy fell to 3 per cent, the second-weakest level since at least the 1970s.

We should give priority to the recovery and expansion of consumption, Li said in a speech on government plans before the ceremonial National People's Congress in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.

The full meeting of the 2,977 members of the NPC is the year's highest-profile event but its work is limited to endorsing decisions made by the ruling Communist Party and showcasing official initiatives.

This month, the NPC is due to endorse the ...