China's economy is better than expected so far this year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday, citing the increase of new jobs and contribution of consumption and service industry to overall economic growth.

    "On the whole, Chinese economy this year, especially in the third quarter, is better than expected," said Li while addressing the opening of a cooperation conference between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in Macao.

    In the first nine months, China created more than 10 million jobs in cities, with the urban surveyed unemployment rate in 31 big cities lower than five percent in September, the first time in recent years, said the premier