The National Development and Reform Commission also said in its report released at the opening of China's parliament that it expected fixed-asset investment to rise about 10.5 percent this year.

It added that non-financial foreign direct investment in China would reach $128 billion this year, while non-financial outward direct investment was expected to reach $130 billion, up 10 percent.

(Reporting by Adam Rose and Kathy Chen; Editing by Kim Coghill)