No hard landing in store for the economy, Li says

Government possesses 'many tools' to handle any difficulties it may encounter this year, he promises

China is projected to see steady growth without the likelihood of a hard landing, Premier Li Keqiang said at a news conference on Wednesday, adding that the nation remains "an important growth engine" for the global economy.

Li said China, for years, has achieved sustained growth thanks to improvements in consumption and industrial upgrades, and that will continue.