China's economic development is at a relatively good level among major economies, and the country is still an important stabilizer and driving force for world economic growth, the spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) told a press conference on Saturday. 

Affected by COVID-19 and the international environment, China's economy is facing greater downward pressure. However, with a series of powerful and effective measures being taken, the country managed to stabilize the overall economy and consolidate the stable and positive trend, spokesperson Sun Yeli said. 

Asked if China will aim to return to rapid growth in the next five years, Sun said the country does not judge success or failure based on GDP growth, but focuses on fundamentally solving the issues of long-term economic development.

"Growth rate is an important indicator to measure economic development, but it is not the only indicator," Sun said. 

China's economic development has entered a new normal, and it is clear that the country's economy has shifted from a stage of high-speed growth to a stage of high-quality development since 2012, he added. 

China's GDP grew at an average annual rate of 6.6 percent from 2013 to 2021, which is higher than the average growth rate of 2.6 percent in the world and 3.7 percent in developing economies during the same period, Sun said, citing a set of data. China's average contribution rate to world economic growth exceeds 30 percent, he said. 

In the next stage, China will fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, and better coordinate development and security in accordance with the action program and major policies set by the 20th National Congress of the CPC, Sun said. 

(Cover: Yantian Port, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. /CFP)