1st quarter economic growth put at 10.4%

Fourteen research institutions have predicted China's economic growth for the first quarter will be between 10.4 and 10.5 percent, while the consumer price index (CPI) will be between 6.8 and 7.1 percent.

The institutions include the State Information Center, a government think tank; and economic research centers from Beijing and Qinghua universities.

The economists said China faces high inflationary pressure, but the global slowdown will not significantly affect it.