GDP slower but healthier

With one single exception, all the country's provincial-level administrative units - provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council - have chosen not to pursue higher GDP growth in 2012.

In fact, most have lowered their GDP growth targets, with Tianjin proposing the most dramatic cut - 4.4 percentage points. This collective lowering of sights is a conspicuous break from the very recent past.

Even though a downward turn in GDP growth has been emerging, this had previously failed to dampen local authorities' enthusiasm for as-high-as-possible GDP growth figures.