China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew an annual average of
9.67 percent from 1978 to 2006, said Ma Kai, the minister of the
National Development and Reform Commission.
"The annual growth rate was much higher than that of the world
economy, which was about 3.3 percent on average in the same
period", said Ma.
"During the period, China has beefed up its comprehensive
national strength and elevated its international status", said Ma,
adding that "the country has become the world's fourth largest
economy and third largest trader".
"The per capita disposable income of urban residents rose from
343 yuan (US$44) in 1978 to 11,759 yuan (US$1,507) in 2006, while
the per capita net income of farmers grew from 134 yuan (US$17) to
3,587 yuan (US$460)", Ma said.
"Meanwhile, China's budgetary revenues rose from 113.23 billion
yuan to 3.93 trillion yuan".
"As it opens wider to the outside world, China has received more
foreign direct investment than any other developing country for 14
straight years and by the end of 2006 there were 590,000
foreign-invested firms in China", said Ma.
"But we must be aware that as a large developing country, China
still faces a number of difficulties and challenges in economic
development, including the increasing environmental restraints, the
arduous industrial restructuring and the growing gap between urban
and rural areas", said Ma.
(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2007)