National Bureau of Statistics presser on economic performance

1. Wide shot press conference 2. Mid shot press 3. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Zhu Zhixin, Bureau Commissioner at China National Bureau of Statistics: "China is facing various challenges. There are some uncertainties that exist in the world political and economic situation. There are still prominent problems that need to be solved - such as irrational economic structures, high employment pressure, slow increase of farmers' income and the income gap between urban and rural residents. However, in general, Chinese economic development still enjoys many favourable factors." 4. Cutaway journalist asking question 5. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Zhu Zhixin, Bureau Commissioner at China National Bureau of Statistics: "As for the economic performance of the year 2003, as long as the world economic situation does not have major reverse - and according to the forecast of the World Bank and IMF, in addition of continuity and stability of macro-economy policies adopted in China, plus dynamic demand both from home and overseas - I think it can grow more than seven percent." 6. Wide shot end of press conference STORYLINE: Chinese officials on Friday predicted continued rapid growth in 2003 as the National Bureau of Statistics confirmed 2002 Gross Domestic Product expanded by eight percent that year. The growth rate was the same as for the third quarter of 2002, and slightly higher than the overall rate of 8 percent for the full year. Bureau Commissioner Zhu Zhixin painted a rosy picture of continuing strong economic growth and an end to deflation this year. He said he foresaw an at least seven percent GDP growth in 2003, in line with the government's growth forecasts for the past three years. But he admitted that the economy faces not only challenges from the unstable world economic and political situation, but also high employment rate, a slow increase of farmers' income and the income gap between urban and rural residents. But overall, he said, China "enjoys many favourable factors." This year's economic forecasts are expected to be announced during the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's legislature, which begins next week. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/19c94a8868b0c7b1ae7ffbe2811f867c Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork