Beijing: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has warned that "considerable" downward pressure on China's economy would test the government's ability to meet its lowered annual growth target.

Fronting his annual press conference at the conclusion of the National People's Congress in Beijing on Sunday, Mr Li said the central government had "tools in the toolbox" to loosen monetary policy if the slowdown threatened employment, though he stressed this remained a hypothetical prospect.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at the conclusion of the National People's Congress in Beijing on Sunday. Credit:Sanghee Liu

"It is true that we have adjusted downward somewhat our GDP target, but it will be by no means easy to meet that target," he said, noting the size of China's multitrillion-dollar economy.

Questions related to China's economy dominated proceedings, reflecting the growing concern around the momentum of reforms shaping the Chinese economy, as well as its increasingly pivotal role as a driver of global economic growth.