Premier Li Keqiang has vowed to continue focusing on reforms and creating fresh growth engines, displaying unusual tolerance for slower economic growth.

As long as the economy is kept within a reasonable range of growth, the government will be able to make a more focused effort on reform and generate new power for growth in the long run, he said on Tuesday.

His comments came a day before the announcement of a surprise drop in June exports. The decline adds to fears the economic slowdown will worsen.