Deputy head of the PRC Academy of Social Sciences Cai Fan said that China will be able to achieve its long-term goal of doubling GDP and income this year, despite the consequences of the outbreak of Coronavirus. The epidemic will have only a short-term effect on the country's economy, after which demand will recover quickly, Chinese officials think. The economist also noted that the impact of a virus outbreak will slightly reduce growth and other development indicators, but these consequences will not be long-term. According to him, the growth rate of about 5.7% this year will be sufficient to achieve the goal of doubling GDP and income. Cai also added that the Chinese authorities should use policy tools in a timely and flexible manner, as well as apply «non-traditional policy tools» to support the economy. It was previously noted that the outbreak of coronavirus in 2020 could reduce China's economic growth by 1 percentage point.
