Growth to ride reform

The special emphasis Premier Wen Jiabao has laid on the quality of growth while announcing this year's GDP growth target reflects the government's growing sense of urgency to change the country's economic development model. It is hoped that, by targeting a lower-than-expected growth, the government will be able to use the space so available to expedite reform in crucial areas in order to achieve sustainable development.

Wen told the National People's Congress on Friday that the government was targeting about 8 percent GDP growth this year - the same as last year.

Since the world economy is yet to find a solid footing for lasting recovery from the worst recession in decades, the 8 percent growth target for the world's third largest economy should be the envy of most countries. Yet it pales in comparison to its record of recent years.