GDP growth of 7.5% in range, premier says

China could realize GDP growth this year of 7.5 percent or even higher, Premier Li Keqiang said at a seminar with economists on Tuesday.

"As long as the growth generates jobs and income, as long as the growth has quality and efficiency, as long as the growth is energy-efficient and not inflated, whether the growth rate is higher or lower than 7.5 percent, we can accept it," Li Keqiang told economists on Tuesday.

Li's comments came after second quarter GDP growth beat expectations to hit 7.5 percent following weak first quarter data. Recent signs have suggested that the premier is increasingly serious about hitting the 7.5 percent target set earlier this year.