HIGHLIGHTS - China cautiously optimistic after robust Q2 GDP

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's annual GDP growth quickened to 7.9 percent in the second quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Thursday.

Following are the highlights of a news conference by NBS spokesman Li Xiaochao.

REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC

First-half growth had laid a solid foundation for hitting the government's full-year growth target of 8 percent.

"Our economy is continuing to turn for the better and there are more and more positive factors."

"We see more people shopping and prices beginning to rise. The economy is recovering and the recovery is intensifying. All the government's policies have worked together to help us overcome the financial crisis."

"The highlights in domestic demand are the growth of apartment sales and growth of auto sales."

"We have also strengthened efforts to coordinate growth among different regions. Investment in central and western China has increased very strongly."

REASONS TO BE CAUTIOUS