( CNN ) -- The World Bank cut China 's economic growth forecast in 2009 to 6.5 percent Wednesday , down a full percentage point from November 's projection . Workers assemble toys on a production line at a factory in Shantou , in China 's Guangdong province . Despite the downgrade , `` China is a relative bright spot in an otherwise gloomy global economy , '' said the World Bank 's David Dollar . Last week , Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reiterated projections that the nation 's economy will grow by 8 percent in 2009 , despite doubts expressed by domestic and international economic analysts . Some have forecast growth as low as 5 percent . `` I will admit it will be a difficult job [ to reach 8 percent ] . This being said , I also believe with considerable efforts it 's possible for us to obtain this goal , '' Wen said at a news conference following the annual session of the country 's rubber-stamp legislature . China has seen a sharp decline in demand for its exports since November as other major economies have struggled . In February , Chinese exports plunged 25.7 percent compared with the previous year 's , Beijing reported last week . Even with the slowdown , China 's economy -- the third largest in the world -- has gone from white-hot to merely robust . In 2007 , China 's gross domestic product grew at 13 percent . The two largest economies -- the United States and Japan -- are in recession . `` So a lot of things will go down in 2009 globally , '' Dollar said . `` But we see China 's contribution as being very positive in keeping many markets from going down as far as they would otherwise . '' The World Bank expects China 's economy to outgrow most others in 2009 . In November , China announced plans to inject $ 586 billion ( 4 trillion yuan ) into its economy to offset declines in industrial and export growth . That economic stimulus plan included the loosening of credit restrictions , tax cuts and massive infrastructure spending .
World Bank cuts China 's economic growth forecast in 2009 to 5 % . This is down a full percentage point from China 's forecast . Last week , Chinese Premier projected nation 's economy would grow by 8 % in 2009 . China has seen a sharp decline in demand for its exports since November .