Economists call for increased public spending

Economists are calling for more proactive fiscal policies to counter the deepening slowdown in growth, as China's annual Central Economic Work Conference is set to start on Tuesday.

The meeting, usually held in early December, sets the tone for next year's macroeconomic policy.

Gao Peiyong, director of the National Academy of Economic Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told a recent forum that a larger budget deficit is likely.