China is to retain an economic growth rate of around seven percent this year, Minister in charge of the State Development Planning Commission Zeng Peiyan said on January 4.

He told a press conference sponsored by the Information Office of the State Council this morning that the Chinese government is confident of maintaining the growth of gross domestic product (GDP) at the same level of last year.

China's GDP increased 7.1 percent in 1999 as against 7.8 percent in 1998.

Economists say that China will continue to follow a pro-active fiscal policy this year.

The press conference is still going on at press time.