Economic highlights of Hu Jintao's speech

A big day today for China - The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has kicked off in the capital Beijing. Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC and Chinese President, delivered a keynote report to the congress, on behalf of the 17th CPC Central Committee.

China to double its 2010 GDP by 2020

In his keynote report, General Secretary Hu Jintao sets a new target for economic growth. He says China should double its 2010 GDP and per capita income for both urban and rural residents by 2020, on the basis of making China's development more balanced, coordinated and sustainable. This is the first time that per capita income is included in the economic growth target.

Changing the growth model

Hu Jintao also stresses the importance of improving the market economy and changing the growth model. He notes China should speed up creating a new growth pattern and ensuring a better development. Hu Jintao notes it's crucial to make economic development the key task, as promoting a sustained and sound economic development is the only way that China can lay a solid foundation for enhancing the country's prosperity and improving people's well-being.

China to boost domestic demand

Meanwhile, Hu Jintao vows to firmly maintain the strategy of boosting domestic demand during adjusting China's economic structure. He says the country should pay more effort to establish a long-term system to boost consumer demand, unleash their potential, and expand the domestic market.