According to a recent survey, about 60 percent of Chinese urban residents are optimistic about this year's national economy. The survey was conducted last December among some 6,400 people in 14 cities across the country.

The survey revealed that 57.9 percent of those responding believe this year's economy will be better than last year's, 22.8 percent believe it will be the same, and only 7.7 percent said the economy will not be as good as 1999.

The survey was conducted by the Beijing-based China Mainland Marketing Research Company and 13 other information and consulting agencies.

When asked about their prospects for family income, 42.2 percent answered they expected it to increase this year, 49.9 percent said it will remain the same, and only 7.9 percent said it will be less than last year.

The 14 cities surveyed were Beijing, Dalian, Changchun, Harbin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Jinan, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, and Lanzhou. (Xinhua)