BEIJING, Jumada II 5, 1438, Mar 4, 2017, SPA -- China is aiming to expand its economy by around 6.5 percent in 2017, Premier Li Keqiang said in remarks prepared for delivery at the opening of the annual meeting of parliament on Sunday, Reuters reported. That compares with a 2016 economic growth target of 6.5 to 7 percent. Top leaders at the National People's Congress are tolerating slightly slower economic growth this year to give them more room to push through some painful reforms to deal with a rapid build-up in debt. A lending binge and increased government spending last year have fuelled worries about high debt levels and an overheating housing market. China's gross domestic product grew 6.7 percent in 2016, the slowest in 26 years. --SPA 03:45 LOCAL TIME 00:45 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w345840