Updated

China's premier is trying to ease concerns about the country's economic slowdown, saying growth is in the "proper range" despite recent weakness and Beijing has no plans to allow its currency to decline further.

Li Keqiang, the country's top economic official, said Wednesday at a business forum that Beijing would press ahead with market-opening reforms despite recent "fluctuations" in economic growth.

Speaking at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in the eastern city of Dalian, Li said, "The Chinese economy has been running within the proper range."

Concern that Chinese economic growth is decelerating too abruptly has mounted after trade and factory activity fell by unexpectedly wide margins in July and August.

Li said the current level of growth is acceptable so long as it generates enough jobs.