GNP growth averaged 8.8 per cent in past five years. Currently, population is growing by ten million a year.

Beijing (AsiaNews/SCMP) – China's annual economic growth is expected to average 7.5 per cent over the next five years, this according to the National Development and Reform Commission. This is lower than the 8.8 per cent of the previous five years but corresponds to the goal set by the 5th Plenum of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party for "sustainable growth" and the creation of "a harmonious society".

At the same time, the 2003 census indicated that the mainland's population was expected to grow at an average of about 0.7 per cent—or just less than 10 million—a year.

The 11th Five-year plan aims at doubling the 2000 per capita income by 2010. "To achieve the goal [. . .], we need average annual GDP growth of 7.18 per cent in the next five years," said Yang Yiyong, vice-director of the commission's Economic Research Institute.

Earlier, the State Council's Development and Research Centre had forecast a higher annual growth rate of 8 per cent for the next five years.

Lu Zhongyuan, director of the centre's macroeconomics department, said the mainland's GDP would reach US.3 trillion by 2010, with per capita GDP of US$ 1,700—double the US$ 850 of 2000.

The Plenum has set the guidelines for the 11th Five-Year Programme for the National Economy and Social Development. Now central government ministries and regional governments have started drafting their own five-year plans in light of the guidelines.

The 11th Five-Year Programme will be tabled for final approval by next year's annual session of the National People's Congress.

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