Nevertheless, the 2016 GDP falls within the government’s target range of 6.5 percent to 7.0 percent. The Asian economic powerhouse has long been a key engine of growth in the global economy. But the country’s Communist leaders are trying to reduce China’s strong reliance on exports and infrastructure investment for growth in favor of higher consumer spending. Year-end uptickA bright spot in the figures released on Friday was provided by a higher-than-expected growth rate for the final quarter of 2016. Uncertainty and risks remainEconomists assume that the government’s structural reforms, including efforts to cool China’s overheated housing market, coupled with a potentially testy relationship with the new US administration will weigh on China’s growth this year.

Source: Daily News Egypt January 21, 2017 11:06 UTC