China's economy within proper range: Premier Li

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Robert Thomson, Chief Executive of News Corp, in Beijing, capital of China, April 17, 2014. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday that China's economy has witnessed a stable and good start to the year and is running within a proper range.

Li made the remarks in a meeting with chief executive of News Corp Robert Thomson in Beijing.

According to official data revealed on Wednesday, China's gross domestic product (GDP) rose 7.4 percent year on year in the first quarter, slightly outpacing market estimates but marking the lowest quarterly growth rate since the third quarter of 2012.

The Chinese government, facing challenges at home and abroad, has innovated macro-control methods, adopted an holistic approach to strike a balance between maintaining growth, readjusting economic structure and promoting reform, Li said.

He said it would be very difficult for China, as a large economy, to maintain medium and high speed economic growth of about 7.5 percent.

Li pledged that China would continue to deepen comprehensive reform, promote opening up, streamline administration and delegate more power to lower level governments, and achieve sustained and sound development of the economy.

Thomson said News Corp is paying attention to China's economic development. He said the group is ready to make active efforts to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation between China and the world.