"The GDP growth rate will reach 8 percent," said Wei Jianguo, vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchange and former vice minister of the Ministry of Commerce.
"Growth rate is expected to reach 6 percent next year, or even hit 8%," remarked Jia Kang, former director of the China Academy of Fiscal Sciences.
"It wouldn't be too outrageous if economic growth reach 8%," added Yao Yang, dean of the National School of Development at Peking University.
At a panel discussion during the Global Times Annual Conference on Saturday, several former senior officials and prominent economists painted a bright outlook for the world's second-largest economy in 2023, drawing confidence from the resilience of the Chinese economy and expectations for an improved epidemic situation and stepped-up efforts to boost growth.
Expectations for a rapid economic recovery in 2023 were also boosted by a series of pro-growth policy measures outlined by top policymakers during the annual Central Economic Work Conference concluded on Friday, which vowed to promote an overall improvement in economic operations in 2023.