China state planner head says economy has stable start to 2017

Xu Shaoshi, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said in a statement on the commission's website that China's economy still faces a "complex and severe" environment internally and externally.

He said that the government would promote stable and healthy development of the property market - a major contributor to China's economic growth.

(Reporting by Kevin Yao; Editing by Eric Meijer)