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Xiuhao Chen and Shi Bu and Liz Lee

China targets domestic demand boost for economic growth

Chinese policymakers have ‌been ​struggling to reverse stubborn weakness in domestic demand. (EPA PHOTO)

‌China will increase its output of high-quality consumer goods and foster ‌new growth points for services consumption in efforts to boost domestic demand ‌aimed at propping up economic growth this year.

Consumption is the main driver of the country's economy, having contributed 52 per cent of the country's economic growth last year, National People's Congress (NPC) spokesman Lou ‌Qinjian told reporters ‌on Wednesday.

Total ⁠retail sales of consumer goods exceeded ​50 trillion yuan ($A10.3 trillion) for the first time last year, he said.

Shoppers look at a humanoid robot (file image)
‌Chinese leaders plan to increase the nation's output of high-quality consumer goods. (AP PHOTO)

Lou said China would also promote high-quality employment and work to raise the incomes of urban and rural people to enhance their ⁠capacity to consume.

Chinese policymakers have ‌been ​struggling to reverse stubborn weakness in domestic demand. The imbalance ​of supply and demand ‌in the economy has also kept multi-year deflationary pressures on ​factory-gate prices.

The NPC's Standing Committee would oversee the formation of a unified domestic market and revitalise rural areas, ​Lou ​said.

Efforts this year will ​include formulating laws and plans for ‌social and medical security including for childcare, as well as to invest more resources in the livelihoods of the people.

"So that the people can consume, dare to consume and ​are willing to consume," Lou said.

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