China on November 17 expressed its confidence in achieving the economic growth target set at the beginning of this year.

This confidence was expressed by the Central Economic Working Conference, which was held in Beijing on November 15-17.

Top Chinese leaders Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Hu Jintao, Wei Jianxing and Li Lanqing attended the conference.

President Jiang Zemin made an important speech at the three-day conference, analyzing the international and domestic political and economic situation and the central government's work since the beginning of this year, and put forward guidelines and major tasks for next year's economic work. Premier Zhu Rongji expounded on the implementation of next year's economic tasks.

The conference said that the government's economic policies have been sound and effective this year, citing as proof good agricultural harvests, rapid industrial growth, the rebound of exports, and a stable society.

However, the economy still suffers from insufficient domestic demand, high employment pressure, the slow rise of farmers' income, and an unreasonable economic structure.

The conference said that China faces important opportunities as well as challenges in developing its economy with the world economy undergoing structural adjustment, the rapid development of science and technology, and an ever more powerful influence exerted by multinational companies.

Multipolarization is an irreversible historic trend, but its formation will ultimately be a long and complicated process, the conference concluded. (Xinhua)