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BEIJING (AP) — China's finance minister says the government's priority is creating jobs and economic growth below the official target of 7.5 percent might be considered acceptable.
Lou Jiwei said Thursday the economic target announced this week is "about 7.5 percent," which could mean growth might be lower than that.
He said the employment target of 10 million new urban jobs announced Wednesday by Premier Li Keqiang is more important. He said the economy might be able to create as many as 13 million new jobs.
Lou said "employment is our most important goal" at a news conference during the annual meeting of China's legislature.
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