TIANJIN, China, Sept 11: China is on course to meet its 2012 growth target despite recently slowing, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Tuesday, as he defended his 10 years at the helm of the world's second economy.

China's economy “was showing signs of stabilising” and would likely meet the 7.5 per cent growth target the government set for the year, Wen said in a speech to the World Economic Forum in the eastern city of Tianjin.

“We are fully confident that we have the conditions and capability to overcome difficulties on the way ahead, maintain fast and stable economic growth and realise development at a higher level and with better quality,” he said.

“The economic growth is still within the target range set at the beginning of the year and is showing stabilising signs despite the slowdown.”

China has already cut interest rates twice this year to boost flagging growth and trimmed the amount of funds banks must place in reserve three times since last December, but Wen said there was room for more cuts.—AFP