Premier and economy representatives meet

The Chinese government has noted the austere circumstances of the economy and will overcome difficulties with more pro-growth policy, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday, ahead of a keynote speech to give the economic outlook for the year ahead.

Li said the Chinese economy performed "pretty well" last year, which he described as a "hard-won accomplishment". He made the comments during a meeting with members of the economy and agriculture groups of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.