FILE PHOTO: Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng speaks during the meeting with Kuwaiti first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China December 17, 2018. Wang Zhao/Pool via REUTERS

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s economy may face a more challenging environment this year but the government is nevertheless confident of achieving its key 2019 targets, Vice Premier Han Zheng said on Sunday.

Han, speaking at the China Development Forum, reiterated that China will further deepen market-oriented reforms and open up its economy. He also said China’s imports of goods are expected to exceed $12 trillion in the next five years.

China targets economic growth of between 6 percent and 6.5 percent for the year, compared with 6.6 percent growth last year.