Securities Times: How should the economic and social development goals be set for next year?

Currently, the viewpoints of research institutions can be divided into two categories. One suggests setting next year's economic growth target at around 5%, while the other advocates for setting it within the range of 4.5% to 5%. Next year will mark the beginning of the "14th Five-Year Plan", so it is advisable to set the economic growth target actively and realistically, leaving room for flexibility. Although China's economy is under pressure this year, the main goals of economic and social development are expected to be achieved smoothly. However, facing both opportunities and challenges in the long and short term, setting next year's economic growth target within a range may provide sufficient maneuvering space for macroeconomic policies, which could be more conducive to starting the "14th Five-Year Plan". Currently, the market generally expects prices to maintain a moderate increase next year, with improved profitability for businesses. After analyzing market information and policy signals comprehensively, most research institutions predict that the inflation rate for next year will be set at around 2%, which aligns more with the expected guidance effect of management and the trend of existing price levels. Considering the continued year-on-year increase in the number of graduates from ordinary colleges and universities next year, and the Central Economic Work Conference putting "ensuring employment" as a top priority among the "Four Stabilities", it is estimated that urban new job creation next year is still expected to be set at over 12 million people.