Premier Li is seeking to defend a 7 percent economic growth goal at a time when concern over slowing demand in China is fueling volatility in global markets. The true rate of expansion “is probably something closer to 4.5 percent or less,” Buiter said. Li has repeatedly pledged to avoid stimulus similar to the one following the global financial crisis in 2008 that led to a surge in debt for local governments and corporations. Data Accuracy The global economy will expand by 3 percent this year, while China’s is forecast to grow 6.9 percent, the slowest pace in a quarter century, according to economists surveyed by ... (full story)