Foreign economists advise on blueprint

Advice on China's new Five-Year Plan (2016-20) is being sought by the Cabinet for the first time from top international economists along with their Chinese counterparts.

The joint efforts are aimed at ensuring the new development blueprint meets the reality of local conditions, with the help of international experience, so that China can avoid falling into the "middle income trap", Premier Li Keqiang said.

"It is the first time the State Council has invited domestic as well as foreign experts to give advice on the making of a five-year plan," the premier said at a seminar during a visit to the National Development and Reform Commission on Monday. The commission is the country's top planning agency.