China yesterday predicted another year of rapid expansion in 2010 but pledged to ensure the benefits of economic growth are shared more evenly, as concern mounts over a widening rich-poor divide.

In his annual "state of the nation" address to open Parliament, Premier Wen Jiabao also pledged to tame inflation and curb rampant bank lending to forestall a risky bubble in the world's third-largest economy.

Mr Wen said China would target eight per cent economic growth in 2010, which he called a "crucial year" in the battle against the global slowdown.

"This year the main targets we have set for economic and social development are increasing GDP by approximately eight per cent and holding the rise in consumer prices to around three per cent," Mr Wen told lawmakers.

Eight per cent growth is a figure authorities feel is the minimum necessary to avert widespread joblessness and social unrest in the world's most populous country. Despite the global crisis, the economy grew 8.7 per cent last year.

With the world downturn exposing the volatility of foreign trade, the agenda for the National People's Congress will be topped by Beijing's efforts to retool the economy away from its long reliance on cheap exports.

"This is a crucial year for continuing to deal with the global financial crisis, maintaining steady and rapid economic development and accelerating the transformation of the pattern of economic development," Wen said.