REPEAT:MNI: China Growth The Focus In Dispute Escalation: NDRC

Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 05:51 GMT May 17/01:51 EST May 17

By Iris Ouyang

     BEIJING (MNI) - China's macro policies to boost the economy will help

maintain stability through any escalation of the trade dispute with the U.S.,

the country's economic planning body said Friday.

     Here are the highlights from Friday's National Development of Reform

Commission press briefing in Beijing:

     -The key for China through any trade dispute is to focus on its own

business, Meng Wei, NDRC spokesperson said, with measures to ensure stable

growth

     -China will continue with current macro, fiscal and monetary policies to

help boost the domestic economy, with added focus on consumption in rural areas,

the NDRC said.

     -The commission underlined that any fallout from the trade dispute was

manageable as China's economy is resilient.

     -The government will implement polices to help firms maintain jobs and

enhance training, especially through a plan to increase student recruitment.

     -Higher pork prices are due to the African swine fever and cyclical

industry factors, the NDRC said, stressing it won't have a major impact on

inflation level.

     -The State Council has approved a new list of state-owned enterprises which

would be required to conduct mixed-ownership reform. The commission said 160

SOEs are included in the new list.

     -Meng addressed fresh concerns over steel production overcapacity,

stressing the government will implement policies to ensure all targets on

cutting steel excess production were hit. She attributed rising steel production

to increased domestic demand from the property, rail construction, and home

appliances sectors.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com