China sets lowest economic growth target in decades at annual meeting

Premier Li Keqiang warns of risks in economic outlook as the coronavirus, a property slump and uncertainty in Ukraine play out

China has set its lowest annual GDP target in decades, as premier Li Keqiang warned of a grave and uncertain" outlook against the backdrop of the coronavirus, a slowing economy and uncertainty over the war in Ukraine.

Li announced on Saturday the unusually modest target of about 5.5% growth for 2022 - the lowest since 1991 - in an address to about 3,000 members of the National People's Congress in Beijing's cavernous Great Hall of the People.