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BEIJING, Nov. 15-- China is on a steady track to meet its 2017 growth target despite some short-term fluctuations as the government focuses on quality over speed in its pursuit of economic growth. After a strong performance in the first three quarters, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed growth of factory output, investment and consumption in October all slowed a notch from the previous month. Industrial value-added output expanded 6.2 percent year on year in October, slowing from 6.6-percent growth in September. Retail sales of consumer goods grew 10 percent, down from 10.3 percent in September. In the January-October period, fixed-asset investment grew 7.3 percent year on year, down 0.2 percentage points from the January-September level. Zhang Jun, economist with Morgan Stanley Huaxin Securities, said the moderation of the indicators was "a short-term fluctuation due to seasonal factors and base effect, and would not change the trend of a stable economic growth." China's economic performance has been generally stable with improved economic structure and quality growth, and it is totally possible for the economy to maintain a stable and positive trend next year, NBS spokesperson Liu Aihua told a press conference. China has aimed for annual economic growth of around 6.5 percent for 2017, down from the 6.7-percent pace recorded in 2016. With traditional growth engines losing steam and old growth patterns leading to issues such as environmental degradation and economic inequality, China is pressing ahead with a new model of quality economic development that draws strength from consumption, the services sector and innovation. | 
