When less might actually mean more

A1: Gross domestic product growth will not reach 7.5 percent this year, but 7.4 percent is within reach. The economy bottomed

Xu Hongcai, director of the Information Department at the China Center for international economic exchanges

out in the third quarter, and it will rebound in the fourth quarter, but only moderately.

A2: The nation needs to lower its economic growth target next year to about 7.2 percent, compared with 7.5 percent this year.

A3: An economic slowdown cannot be seen as a good thing for China, as it also means growth of potential drivers is decelerating. China cannot sustain the high growth rates that it once did for a variety of reasons such as an aging population, a degraded environment and a larger economic base.

A4: The nation can adjust macroeconomic policies to offset any damage. First, fiscal policy can become more active. Implementation of structural tax reductions is a good idea for cutting costs. The government needs to ensure funding for infrastructure projects and help leading companies resolve their debt pressures.

Second, monetary policy should function to expand support for small and medium-sized companies. Measures should be adopted to ensure ample liquidity. But large-scale stimulus measures are not appropriate.