China witnessed steady and healthy economic growth last year, the nation's top economic planner said on Sunday.

He Lifeng, minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said "it was't easy" to achieve the forecast 6.7 percent growth rate, given the external uncertainties and economic downward pressure seen in 2016.

But within the context of the last year's situation, the expected 6.7 percent growth rate would be healthy, he said.

He made the remarks ahead of the opening of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

Chinese economic growth accounted for 33 percent of global economic growth last year, according to He.

He also cited data that China created more than 10 million jobs and lifted more than 12 million people out of poverty last year.

China's GDP in 2015 reached 67.7 ttillion yuan, up 6.9 percent year-on-year.