Chinese Premier Meets Former French President

Chinese Premier Meets Former French President

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Premier Zhu Rongji said Thursday that China's economic growth rate will achieve its set target of 7 percent this year despite an economic slowdown in the United States and Japan.

Zhu made the remarks during a meeting with former French President

Valery Discard D'estaing, who is here attending an annual China- France Economic Seminar with presence of scores of French entrepreneurs.

Zhu said China has taken into consideration the possible ups and downs of the world economy in making its new five-year plan that was adopted by the National People's Congress this month. The economic growth will mainly rely on its domestic market and the economic slowdown in the United States and Japan will not affect China's growth to a large degree.

The premier stressed that China's economic growth and investment environment will remain stable and therefore foreign businessmen could feel at ease to do trade and investment in China.

After hearing briefings by some French entrepreneurs on their China investment plans, Zhu said will continue to care and push forward the cooperation between Chinese and French enterprises.

Zhu briefed D'estaing on China's next five-year plan, and said he believes the plan will bring new business opportunities for overseas businessmen to cooperate with their Chinese counterparts.