China’s President, Xi Jinping, has emphasised the need for the country’s stable growth, as well as the need to press ahead with political and economic reforms in 2016.

In a New Year’s Eve speech carried by Chinese state-run broadcast networks, Mr Xi said the country’s “economic growth remained at the forefront of the world” despite its recent slowing compared to previous years.

“We need [in 2016] to keep pushing forward structural reform as well as opening up, and keep promoting social fairness,” he said. The President added the country needed to “lay a solid foundation for the decisive stage in building China into a moderately prosperous society”.

President Xi also stressed the need for building “a clean and healthy political environment”.

Talking about international co-operation, the President added: “China will, as always, open its arms to embrace the world, and offer its helping hands to those in need. Our circle of friends will grow bigger.”

It is expected – once official figures are released – that China will in 2015 have posted the slowest growth in 25 years; at around 7 percent. China’s leaders have also predicted the nation’s average growth would slow from previous levels; but would still be at least 6.5 percent per annum in each of the next five years.