2017 GDP growth could reach 6.9%

China's GDP growth for 2017 may stay at 6.9 percent, thanks to favorable internal and external conditions despite the cool-off in the real estate sector and ongoing environmental protection measures, economists said.

Xu Hongcai, an economist with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said China's year-on-year GDP growth for 2017 could be a higher-than-expected 6.9 percent.

The world's second-largest economy expanded by 6.9 percent in the first three quarters of 2017, which is above the government's preset growth target of 6.5 percent.