Chinese government never said 7% growth was a must, insists Li Keqiang

The statement was released by the country's government ahead of a meeting due to be held this week that will lay out the country's targets for its economy for the next five years.

"We have never said that we should defend to the death any goal, but that the economy should operate within a reasonable range," Keqiang was paraphrased as saying.

"The hard work of people up and down the country and the enormous potential of China's economy gives us more confidence that we can overcome the various difficulties."

That came as one of China's most senior central bank officials on Saturday predicted the country would maintain annual growth of between 6% and 7% between now and 2020.

It also follows the People's Bank of China's decision, announced on Friday, to slash interest rates for the sixth time in less than 12 months.