Economist: China could lose nearly 4 mln jobs in 2009

BEIJING, Jan. 11(Chinese media) -- China is likely to lose 3.9 million jobs in

2009 compared with 2007 if GDP growth slows to 8 percent, said Cheng Siwei, a

renowned economist here.

Cheng, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National

People's Congress, said at a forum on capital market on Saturday that one

percentage drop in GDP growth may bring a loss of one million jobs.

He noted China maintained an economic growth of 11.9 percent in2007,

creating an additional 11.5 million jobs that year.

The country's four-trillion-yuan (583.9 billion U.S. dollars)

economic-stimulus package will boost employment, as unemployment is not only an

economic issue but also a social problem, he said.

The stimulus plan released in November will provide more job opportunities

through investment on infrastructure, according to Cheng.