China’s economy would not suffer a hard landing and there are more positives than difficulties for the world’s second largest economy, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday.

Speaking in a press conference after the end of the annual legislative session, Mr Li — quoted by state-run news agency Xinhua — admitted there was increasing downward pressure on China’s economic growth.

But he remained upbeat. “As long as we stay on the course of reform and opening up, China’s economy will not suffer a hard landing,” the Premier said.

Earlier this month, Mr Li announced the growth target range for China this year was 6.5 percent to 7 percent. The world’s second largest economy expanded by 6.9 percent year-on-year in 2015, the slowest pace in 25 years.

The Premier stressed if there was any sign that China’s economic expansion might move outside what was termed its appropriate range, the Government would employ innovative means to ensure steady economic performance.