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| Version 10 | Version 11 |
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| China 'can boost stimulus plan' | China 'can boost stimulus plan' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| China is ready to introduce new economic stimulus measures "at any time", Premier Wen Jiabao has said. | China is ready to introduce new economic stimulus measures "at any time", Premier Wen Jiabao has said. |
| He said there was enough "ammunition" to add to the 4tn yuan ($586bn; £421bn) package already announced. | He said there was enough "ammunition" to add to the 4tn yuan ($586bn; £421bn) package already announced. |
| He was speaking at the end of China's annual parliamentary session - the only time he takes questions from reporters. | He was speaking at the end of China's annual parliamentary session - the only time he takes questions from reporters. |
| Although Mr Wen said he expected China and the rest of the world to be better off in 2010, he said the government was ready to face tougher times. | Although Mr Wen said he expected China and the rest of the world to be better off in 2010, he said the government was ready to face tougher times. |
| "We have prepared contingency plans to handle greater difficulties," he said. | "We have prepared contingency plans to handle greater difficulties," he said. |
| "We have prepared enough ammunition and we can launch new economic stimulus policies at any time." | "We have prepared enough ammunition and we can launch new economic stimulus policies at any time." |
| Opening the annual session of the National People's Congress nine days ago, Mr Wen had said that this year would be the most difficult China has faced this century. | Opening the annual session of the National People's Congress nine days ago, Mr Wen had said that this year would be the most difficult China has faced this century. |
| Confidence needed | Confidence needed |
| He said confidence was "more important than gold or money" in overcoming the world's financial troubles. | He said confidence was "more important than gold or money" in overcoming the world's financial troubles. |
| "Only when we have confidence can we have courage and strength, and only when we have courage and strength can we overcome difficulties." | "Only when we have confidence can we have courage and strength, and only when we have courage and strength can we overcome difficulties." |
| REYNOLDS' CHINA This news conference has its own stately pace - it's been going on for an hour and a half and we're only on to our sixth question Read James' thoughts in full | REYNOLDS' CHINA This news conference has its own stately pace - it's been going on for an hour and a half and we're only on to our sixth question Read James' thoughts in full |
| But Mr Wen said he was worried about the safety of the huge amount of China's foreign-exchange reserves invested in US government bonds. | But Mr Wen said he was worried about the safety of the huge amount of China's foreign-exchange reserves invested in US government bonds. |
| "I'd like to take this opportunity here to implore the United States... to honour its words, stay a credible nation and ensure the safety of Chinese assets," he said. | "I'd like to take this opportunity here to implore the United States... to honour its words, stay a credible nation and ensure the safety of Chinese assets," he said. |
| Almost half of China's $2tn in currency reserves is thought to be invested in US treasury bills and other government-affiliated notes. | Almost half of China's $2tn in currency reserves is thought to be invested in US treasury bills and other government-affiliated notes. |
| "We are extremely interested in developments in the US economy," Mr Wen said. | "We are extremely interested in developments in the US economy," Mr Wen said. |
| Stimulus plan 'misunderstood' | Stimulus plan 'misunderstood' |
| Official figures released this week showed that Chinese exports plunged by more than a quarter in February from a year ago, to $64.9bn, and imports fell by 24.1% to $60.1bn. | Official figures released this week showed that Chinese exports plunged by more than a quarter in February from a year ago, to $64.9bn, and imports fell by 24.1% to $60.1bn. |
| The Chinese government is targeting annual growth of 8% and wants to boost consumption and raise consumer demand. | The Chinese government is targeting annual growth of 8% and wants to boost consumption and raise consumer demand. |
| Tibet's peace and stability and Tibet's continuous progress have proven the policies we have adopted are right Wen Jiabao Wen's stage-managed briefing | Tibet's peace and stability and Tibet's continuous progress have proven the policies we have adopted are right Wen Jiabao Wen's stage-managed briefing |
| Correspondents say the Communist Party fears that if annual growth slips below 8%, there will be social instability. | Correspondents say the Communist Party fears that if annual growth slips below 8%, there will be social instability. |
| Premier Wen said the growth target would be difficult to achieve, but possible. | Premier Wen said the growth target would be difficult to achieve, but possible. |
| Mr Wen also gave more details of the government's economic $586bn stimulus programme, which was announced in November. | Mr Wen also gave more details of the government's economic $586bn stimulus programme, which was announced in November. |
| China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported that Mr Wen said the package had been "misunderstood" - emphasising that $173bn of it would be entirely new investment. | China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported that Mr Wen said the package had been "misunderstood" - emphasising that $173bn of it would be entirely new investment. |
| That portion would be spent on "public welfare, technological innovation, environmental protection and infrastructure projects", he said. | That portion would be spent on "public welfare, technological innovation, environmental protection and infrastructure projects", he said. |
| Although most of the carefully managed press briefing focused on the economy, Mr Wen did field two questions about Tibet. | |
| He brushed aside remarks earlier this week by the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, that China had made life in the Himalayan region "hell on earth" for his people. | |
| "Tibet's peace and stability and Tibet's continuous progress have proven the policies we have adopted are right," Mr Wen said. | "Tibet's peace and stability and Tibet's continuous progress have proven the policies we have adopted are right," Mr Wen said. |
| />What challenges does China face in the future? Send us your comments on Mr Wen's speech. name="say"> | |
What challenges does China face in the future? Send us your comments on Mr Wen's speech. |