Beijing, Oct 11 (IANS): China's economy has so far fared better than expected this year, Prime Minister Li Keqiang said on Tuesday, citing the increase of new jobs and contribution of domestic consumption and the service industry to overall economic growth.

"On the whole, the economy this year, especially in the third quarter (Q3), is better than expected," said Li while addressing the opening of a cooperation conference between China and Macao.

China's economy in Q3 not only continued the growth momentum in the first half of this year, but also featured some positive changes, said Li, adding that China was fully capable of maintaining medium to high speed growth.

Consumption and the service sector contributed more to economic growth and some important indices, which had previously weakened or declined, were stabilising and becoming positive, said the Prime Minister.

Industrial growth, corporate profits and investment, especially private investment, were also stabilising and recovering, said Li.

In the first nine months, China created more than 10 million jobs in cities and towns, with the urban surveyed unemployment rate in 31 big cities coming in at less than 5 per cent in September, the first time in recent years, said the premier.

China created more than 13 million new jobs in cities and towns annually in the past three years despite the economic slowdown.

China's economy grew 6.7 per cent in the first half of the year, within the government's target range of 6.5-7 per cent for 2016.