China eyes 8% GDP growth in 2008

China aims to maintain the GDP growth at 8% in 2008, based on the energy conservation and emission reduction, according to Premier Wen Jiabao.

He said that the target is to keep the economy growing at a steady and fast growth, and guide all sectors to focus on the new sustainable development pattern, as well as deepening reform and accelerating social development.

In the past five years, the country's economy grew by 65.5%, or an average annual increase of 10.6%. China's GDP hit RMB 24.66 trillion (US$3.425 trillion) last year.

Meanwhile, China also saw a big progress on the energy conservation and emission reduction. In 2007, the energy consumption for each RMB 10,000 of GDP dropped 3.27% year-on-year. In addition, for the first time in recent years, the country reduced the chemical oxygen demand and the total emission of sulfur dioxide by 3.14% and 4.66% respectively.