China's economy better than expected so far, says Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

Mentioning the increase of new jobs and contribution of consumption and service industry to overall economic growth, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday that the China's economy is better than expected so far this year.

The state-owned Xinhua news agency quoted Li, as saying "On the whole, Chinese economy this year, especially in the third quarter, is better than expected."

He was addressing the opening of a cooperation conference between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in Macao.

China has created more than 10 million jobs in the first nine months in the cities with the urban surveyed unemployment rate in 31 big cities lower than five percent in September, the first time in recent years, said the premier.