Guangdong ahead of pace for prosperity goals

Guangdong province is set to achieve its aim of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects by 2018, two years ahead of the nation's target of 2020.

To realize the goal, the South China province will maintain annual economic growth of 7 percent during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), higher than the bottom line set for the country at 6.5 percent.

Despite the downward pressure, the relatively high speed of economic growth is achievable and necessary for Guangdong to realize the goal of doubling the province's GDP and per capita income compared with 2010 before 2020, according to Xu Shaohua, vice-governor of Guangdong and a standing committee member of the provincial CPC committee.