China's economy of 'great concern' as annual political meeting to kick off

China's annual political conclave kicks off in Beijing on Monday, with officials saying the flagging economy and youth unemployment are of "great concern" as they lay out plans for the coming year. So, too, he said Sunday, was "the employment of young people, especially fresh graduates", with youth unemployment officially at around 15 percent at the end of 2023, after the statistics bureau adjusted its calculation methods.