China warns of 'tough struggle' as it cuts growth target to lowest since 1990

Li Keqiang tells annual political gathering the nation will face 'a graver and more complicated environment'

China has set its lowest growth target in nearly three decades as premier Li Keqiang warned of "tough" challenges facing the world's second-largest economy.

He set the country's growth at 6.0 to 6.5%, down from a target of 6.5% last year. In 1990, growth sank to 3.9% because of international sanctions sparked by the Tiananmen square protests. Growth in 2018 was 6.6%, the slowest rate since 1990.

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