李克强称中国经济不会硬着陆

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday that the country\'s economy is facing "a number of difficulties and downward pressure," but expressed confidence it would not experience what he called a "hard landing."

Speaking at the Workd Economic Forum in Dalian, China, Li cited a slowing worldwide economy as a challenge to China\'s growth. Still, he said the Chinese economy is "within a reasonable range."

"China\'s economy is trending well as it slows down in pace toward increasing stability, though not without difficulties, and the general picture shows more opportunities than challenges," Li said.

He also expressed confidence that China will meet its main economic targets this year.

Concerns about a slowdown in China\'s economy, the second largest in the world, have rippled across global stock markets in the past few months, with China\'s own Shanghai Composite Index falling 40 percent since June.

Li said Thursday China would keep exchange rates "stable at a reasonable and balanced level."

李克强在大连举行的世界经济论坛年会上说，世界范围的经济增长放缓是对中国发展的一个挑战。但他表示，中国经济状况目前处于合理的范围。

李克强说，中国经济的发展趋势是好的，增长速度减慢，变得更加稳定，尽管存在问题，但总体而言机会多于挑战。

李克强还表示，相信中国将实现今年的主要经济目标。

几个月来，对世界第二大经济中国经济增长速度下降的担忧导致全球股市出现震荡，而上证综指自6月份以来大跌40%。

李克强星期四说，中国将把人民币汇率维持在合理和平衡的水平上。