BEIJING, Jan. 21 -- The Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, along with peers of 16 Beijing-based news organizations and netizens of Xinhuanet.com, predict the trends of 10 major economic issues for 2006:

    House prices

    Forty-five per cent of them believe prices will continue to rise, while 37 per cent say they will remain unchanged and 18 per cent say they will fall.

    China's gross domestic product (GDP) growth

    Seventy per cent say China's GDP growth will stay at 8 to 9 per cent, while 30 per cent predict the GDP will grow more than 9 per cent. No one believes the GDP will rise less than 8 per cent.

    Changes in renminbi exchange rate

    All believe renminbi will appreciate slightly. No one believes it will remain unchanged or appreciate by a big margin.

    Rural people's income

    All say rural people's income will grow slightly. No one believes their income will remain the same or rise dramatically.

    Medical fees

    Ninety per cent believe the medical fees will not drop, but 10 per cent believe they will.

    Employment situation

    Fifty per cent say the employment situation will become tougher, but 20 per cent say it will be improved. Thirty per cent say there will not be major changes.

    Stocks market

    Eighty-nine per cent believe the market will remain at low ebbs, but 11 per cent say the country will witness a bull market. No one believes the market will suffer a big fall.

    Random education charges

    Thirty-seven per cent believe the random charges will continue, and 26 per cent believe the practice will become more serious. Thirty-seven per cent believe it will be restricted.

    The trend of consumer prices

    Seventy-five per cent predict higher consumer prices, while 25 per cent predict the consumer prices will be the same as those in 2005. No one predicts lower consumer prices for 2006.

    Urban people's income

    Sixty-three per cent believe incomes will rise, while 37 per cent believe it will be the same as that in 2005. No one believes urban people's income will drop.

    (Source: China Daily)