Growth hopes rise on key indicators

China's economic indicators picked up slightly in November after a three-month cooling, led by accelerated industrial output, boosting hopes that the annual growth target of "around 7 percent" may be achieved.

As earlier policies to stabilize growth are taking effect, the overall economy is expected to rebound gradually, said Sheng Laiyun, spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics.

"I am confident we will achieve the annual growth target," he said.