The Communist Party rebuffed calls from economists to shift away from investment-led growth and toward consumer spending.

Top officials emerged from a high-stakes meeting about lifting the economy out of its malaise with few signs of a fundamental rethink.

Premier Li Qiang targets economic growth of about 5 percent this year as China signals readiness to borrow more for spending programs.

Li Qiang, the country’s No. 2 leader, sought to reassure entrepreneurs who have been wary of making new investments.