China is confident and fully prepared to achieve its five-percent economic growth target this year despite a spate of challenges and uncertainties, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing on Tuesday.
Mao made the statement in response to mixed media comments on China's growth target this year, at a regular press briefing.
"Despite facing challenges such as increasing tariff barriers and a complex external environment, we are confident in achieving our economic growth goals. On the demand side, China has an enormous market size and vast domestic demand potential. On the supply side, we have the world's most complete industrial system and strong production capacity. In terms of institutional advantages, we have a governance mechanism with long-term planning, scientific regulation, and effective coordination at all levels. As for policy tools, this year we will implement more proactive fiscal policies and moderately loose monetary policies to provide robust support for high-quality economic growth. We are accelerating our efforts to foster a new pattern of development that is focused on the domestic economy and features positive interplay between domestic and international economic flows. We have a diversified trade network covering more than 230 countries and regions. Therefore, we are capable of standing the uncertainties brought about by external shocks," she said.
"Yesterday, relevant Chinese authorities presented the economic performance for January and February this year, showing that China's economy continues to recover and improve, with a series of policy measures already showing positive effects. We will further deepen reform and expand opening up to drive the ship of China's economy to cleave the waves and sail steadily toward the future, benefiting China and bringing valuable stability to the world," said Mao.
China confident to hit economic growth target this year: spokeswoman
Israel has vowed to continue with its airstrikes on Gaza, after a fresh wave of bombardment led to the collapse of a two-month ceasefire early Tuesday, with its officials saying that the attacks will not stop until it secures the release of all remaining hostages from Hamas captivity.
On Tuesday, the Israeli army conducted intense airstrikes on northern and central Gaza Strip, marking the most violent escalation since a ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19.
According to Israeli media reports, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement following Tuesday's airstrikes that if Hamas does not release all hostages, "the gates of hell will open in Gaza," and Hamas will encounter the Israeli military "with an intensity they have never known before."
Meanwhile, Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), also said in a post on his social media account that Israel will show "no mercy" until all hostages are returned.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced early Tuesday that Netanyahu and Katz had ordered the military to "operate against Hamas with increasingly powerful military force."
According to the statement, the move followed what it described as Hamas's "repeated refusal to release hostages" and rejection of proposals presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Hamas accused Netanyahu and Israeli government of "resuming aggression and a war of genocide" against civilians in the Gaza Strip, holding Israel fully responsible for the repercussions of the renewed escalation.
Hamas accused Netanyahu's government of deliberately overturning the ceasefire agreement, thereby exposing prisoners in Gaza to an uncertain fate.
Hamas further appealed to the United Nations and the UN Security Council to "convene urgently to adopt a resolution obligating Israel to immediately halt its aggression and implement Resolution 2735, which calls for an end to hostilities and a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip."
Israel says Gaza strikes won't stop until release of all hostages; Hamas decries "war of genocide"
