A government economist says China's economy is expected to grow 9.5 percent this year, bolstered by fast-growing real estate investment and consumption.

Zhang Liqun, an economist at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said that real estate investment will grow 30 percent to 40 percent this year to become the major source driving investment.

He added that corporate investments will turn positive in the period with growth forecast at 20 percent. He also points out the external environment will remain rather grim but will not deteriorate further, and exports will end their decline and begin growing again.

(CCTV.com January 26, 2010)