The press center of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) holds a press conference on promoting the steady, healthy and sustainable development of Chinese economy, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2017. Director He Lifeng (2nd L), vice directors Zhang Yong (2nd R) and Ning Jizhe (1st R) of China's National Development and Reform Commission attended the press conference. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's economy is expected to attain or surpass the government's annual growth target of around 6.5 percent this year, a chief economic planner said Saturday.

"The growth target of around 6.5 percent is expected to be fulfilled successfully, and it's possible to achieve even better results," said He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, at a press conference on the sidelines of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

The country's gross domestic product () value will exceed 80 trillion yuan (about 12.1 trillion U.S. dollars) this year, he said.

The economy has seen a stronger trend of steady growth with structural progress and positive outlook this year, he told reporters.

China's GDP expanded 6.9 percent year on year to 59.3 trillion yuan in the first three quarters, holding steady from a 6.9-percent growth in the first half despite a slightly slower 6.8-percent increase in the third quarter, official data show.