China premier warns on economic slowdown as data fans stimulus talk

(Reuters) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang warned on Thursday that the economy faces “severe challenges” in 2014 – comments that came as weak data fanned speculation the central bank would relax monetary policy to support stuttering growth.

Li, speaking at a news conference on the final day of China’s yearly parliament, hinted Beijing would tolerate slower economic expansion this year while it pushes through reforms aimed at providing longer-term and more sustainable growth.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/13/us-china-parliament-idUSBREA2C09L20140313