1st LD: Economic planner says fully confident in 6.5 pct annual growth

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China's economic planner on Tuesday expressed confidence in achieving the 6.5 percent annual growth target as domestic consumption is expected to become a larger force driving economic development.

With further development in emerging industries and the modern service sector, consumption is likely to contribute around 60 percent to economic growth in 2018, said He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Investment will contribute one third to this year's growth as China will also push forward investment, especially on the real economy, He told a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing annual session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

For foreign trade, He said it will grow steadily and drive 8 to 9 percent of growth as long as the world economy keeps a stable growth. Enditem