PARIS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- French Finance Minister Michel Sapin on Wednesday unveiled the 2017 draft budget, in which the government held pledges to
accelerate growth by 1.5 percent and to lower the budget gap by 6 percentage
points to 2.7 percent.
The financial road map is a "serious effort to manage public finances," according to Sapin."This effort must be pursued because it's a condition of
France's credibility and a guarantee of our sovereignty," he added.
Long under pressure to honor fiscal commitment, France aims to achieve a budget deficit of 3.3 percent of GDP this year before achieving the EU-mandated
threshold at 2.7 percent of GDP or 69.3 billion euros (77.65 billion U.S.
dollars).
"This commitment, we will hold. What is unlikely today will be proved possible tomorrow," the French minister added.
According to the 2017 budget draft, the French economy is expected to grow by 1.5 percent in 2016 and 2017, up from 1.3 percent recorded in 2015.
For next year, the government will increase public spending by 7 billion euros after pumping more to improve youth training, boost security and recruit
more teachers.
France's total accumulated debt would be stabilized at 96 percent of GDP.
"It's true that a forecast can always be discussed. But to date, we have been consistent with the commitments we made," said government spokesman Stephane Le
Foll.
"So, we continue to defend the growth outlook which is credible and serious," he added after a weekly cabinet meeting.
On Tuesday, the High Council of Public Finance (HCFP), the country's independent fiscal watchdog, said France's growth and deficit targets were
"improbable," blaming higher spending which may hamper efforts to reach healthy
finances.
COE-Rexecode institute of economic research painted a grim picture of the French economy next year, saying that the government failed to transform a
favorable climate business in 2016 to a lasting recovery.
"Given a change in macroeconomic climate, modest intrinsic dynamics of the French economy and increasing drain on imports, we estimate a downturn in 2017,"
the institute said in a note.
Marcello Lippi Mizuno Wave Prophecy 2 Australia , head coach of China men's national football team, waves to audience in Wuhan, August 31, 2017. [Photo: VCG] China's national
football team defeats Uzbekistan 1-0 in World Cup qualifier on August
31 Mizuno Wave Rider 18 Australia , 2017. [Photo: VCG]
A late penalty kick from Gao Lin helped China keep the slim hope to enter the 2018 World Cup as Marcello Lippi's side beat Uzbekistan 1-0 at home on Thursday
in the penultimate round of the Asian qualifying campaign.
"I always tell my players. When there is still a theoretical chance, we have no reason to give up. We should make every efforts to achieve it. Now, it is the
same attitude for us to play in the last match (away against Qatar)," said the
Italian World Cup winning coach.
China wasted a bunch of clear chances and looked close to a goalless draw until the 84th minute Mizuno Wave Rider 17 Australia , when defender Feng Xiaoting was fouled down in the area and awarded the valuable chance.
Gao, the target man, struck the ball to the bottom left corner to grab the last mathematical chance for the hosts.
"From professional view, I admit that the luck is on our side tonight. But the match also shows that the team still has large space to improve Mizuno Wave Prophecy 5 Australia ," added Lippi.
With one game left against Qatar, China, having collected nine points from nine matches to sit in the provisional fifth place of the six-team Group A,
jointly led by Iran and South Korea Adidas Pure Boost ZG Australia , cherishes the hope for a third-place finish to earn the chance of vying for a play-off berth.
China will play against Qatar, who has been eliminated after a 3-1 defeat by Syria, in its last qualifier five days later.
After Thursday's matches, Syria stood third with a better goal difference over Uzbekistan Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 Australia , both have accumulated 12 points. China has to beat Qatar with enough goals, hoping the duo will both lose their next
matches.
However, Lippi showed his confidence to his players.
"We need to concentrate on ourselves to improve in the following days. I have not compared with other teams. But if Syria lose to Iran 3-0, a 1-0 victory for
us maybe enough. Let's see Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Australia ," said the Italian.
In Thursday's vital clash, China had an early sight of goal just four minutes into the match when winger Wu Lei picked up the ball in the central area but
sent his volley just wide of the right post.
A sold-out attendance of 51,666 in the Wuhan Sports Center drove on the home side with the rhythmic thud of the drums in a cool night, witnessing an
offensive open play from China in the dominant first half.
China should have opened the deadlock in a huge chance nine minutes before the break. Central midfielder Zhang Xizhe broke through the visitors' back-line
with a smart touch to dash into the area Adidas Ultra Boost Uncaged Australia , but he wasted a one-on-one opportunity by shooting the ball straight down the central control of Ignatiy
Nesterov, the goalkeeper.
It was later proved to be the best chance for China in 90 minutes as Lippi's side didn't get any much clearer chance afterwards.
Uzbekistan also spurned a one-on-one chance two minutes later. The visitors' winger Marat Bikamaev dispossessed Deng Hanwen and cut back from the left flank
for Igor Sergeev, who struck wide in front of an open net.
The open play from both sides in the rest of game didn't bring a goal until Gao's penalty kick.
At the final whistle, the full-capacity stadium was ignited with a chorus by fans and players singing "Life in full bloom" Adidas Ultra Boost Parley Australia , a popular song from rock star Wang Feng.
It's the second victory for China in the last-12 team campaign, which China reached the stage for the first time since 2002, when it qualified for its
first-ever World Cup finals.
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