BEIJING, May 18 (Reuters) - China still has policy room to cope with challenges, as the downward pressure on China's economy increases, state media quoted Premier Li Keqiang as saying on Wednesday.

China will ensure its economic operations in the first half and the whole year to be "within reasonable range", Li was quoted as saying.
He added that effective measures will be taken to boost the confidence of private firms, according to the report. (Reporting by Kevin Yao and şişli escort Beijing newsroom; Editing by Andrew Heavens)