China's National Bureau of Statistics is set to announce the country's GDP growth data for 2009 next Thursday. And it seems the country has defied earlier predictions of a sharp drop. It's now expected to easily meet the government's target of 8 percent – that's the figure it sees as crucial for job creation and ensuring social stability.

The economy grew 8.9 percent in the third quarter of 2009 - compared to 7.9 percent in the second quarter after a record low of 6.1 percent in the first. Analysts are now predicting a figure of between 8.2 percent and 8.4 percent for the year.

Based on this and other factors, one of the country's top think tanks is predicting a staggering 9.5 percent growth for the economy next year - 2010. The State Council's Development Research Center says the economy will be boosted by double-digit growth in real estate investment and predicts exports, a key driver of economic growth, will start to grow again in 2010.

So can such a high target be met? We went out and asked some Chinese people if they felt that 9.5% growth was practical.