China can achieve its goal of 8-percent economic growth this year through its efforts, said Zhao Qizheng, spokesman of the Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on Monday.

China must try all means to ensure stable and rapid economic development and strive for the 8-percent target in order to ride through the severe global financial crisis, as the country's political advisors all agree, said Zhao at a press conference.

Members of the CPPCC National Committee, China's top political advisory body, have shown great concerns about the economy, said Zhao.

He added that some of the members are optimistic about the 8-percent goal while others think it is difficult to realize.

The members have called for multiple measures to boost domestic demand and submitted many proposals on economic policies, said Zhao.

The secretariat of the session has received 265 proposals and 307 text statements by the political advisors as of Monday noon, Zhao told press.

He said a total of 2,235 political advisors are expected to attend the session, which will open Tuesday afternoon and last nine days.

The CPPCC National Committee members, coming throughout the country, are expected to discuss the report on government work by Premier Wen Jiabao, reports on the work of the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate, said Zhao.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2009)