China's government will aim for economic growth of about 8% next year, even as it faces a tougher time boosting domestic consumption as a driver of growth, its industry minister said on Monday.
The government has not yet officially announced its gross domestic growth target for next year, but 8% has been its official aim for the past several years.
"According to the economic growth target of about 8% decided by the central government, we target industrial output growth at about 11%," Li Yizhong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, said in a work conference broadcast on the ministry's website.
Li said earlier that he expected industrial output to grow 11% this year as well. He added that exports would fall by about 17% this year.
Industrial production in the first 11 months was up 10.3% from the same period last year, with growth in November alone at 19.2%.
