Editor's note: Among a number of foreign investment banks and international media, prophets of doom on the Chinese economy have begun to find their voices once more. How should we view this negative publicity, and what is China's current economic situation? On March 5, Xu Shaoshi, head of the National Development and Reform Commission made clear that the Chinese economy has made a good start to the year and that future prospects are favorable. On the sidelines of the "two sessions" - the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - reporters interviewed NPC deputies and CPPCC members.

Is the Chinese economy facing a recession?

【Response】China's economic situation is better than expected

In recent years, China's economic growth rate has been slowing steadily, so there is a view that the economy is facing recession.

Responding to this, economist and CPPCC member Lin Yifu said that economic slowdown in China is mainly due to the weak international economic situation. For instance, in 2013 the U.S. economy witnessed 1.8 percent growth and the EU saw negative growth of 0.4 percent. In addition, the two other major emerging economies, India and Brazil, had bigger economic slowdowns than China.

Xu Shaoshi said we should examine the economy from an overall perspectivve. In 2013, China's economic and social development remained steady: GDP saw 7.7 percent growth, the CPI rose only 2.6 percent, new employment provided jobs for 13.1 million, and national per capita disposable income grew by 8.1 percent. All of these figures are better than expected. Last year tertiary industry's share of GDP exceeded that of secondary industry for the first time, marking the fact that China has made important progress in restructuring, according to Xu.

To expressions of concern about economic slowdown in China, Xu responded that by maintaining 7 percent growth rate, China can achieve its goal of building a moderately prosperous society by 2020. Its 7.7% growth rate is the highest of any of the world's developed countries and the major developing countries. "We will not pursue speed, but we will not allow economic growth to slip below a baseline. We will create favorable conditions for restructuring and reform."

Slight fluctuations in economic growth are normal and are in line with economic laws. The fundamentals of China's economy have not changed, according to Xu.

Xiang Xiaomei, an expert with the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences and also a NPC deputy, said that some people were spreading "recession theories" on the Chinese economy with the intention of putting pressure on China and creating opportunities for themselves.

"We should face the doubters with broad minds and confidence", said NPC deputy Yan Chengzhong, also director of the Institute of Economic Development and Cooperation at Shanghai-based Donghua University. The reasons for China's economic slowdown lie in factors such as adjustment and transformation just as much as in the sluggish global economic environment.