The surprisingly robust numbers released Thursday by China's National Bureau of Statistics are an improvement from the 6.1 percent growth in gross domestic product recorded in the first three months this year. And they suggest that this year China could reach the 8 percent growth rate that Beijing has deemed its benchmark for success. 'The increase confirms the significant impact that China's economic stimulus program has had on domestic demand and indicates that the country is on course to achieve its growth target for the year,' said Jing Ulrich, managing director of China equities for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Hong Kong. China has issued tax rebates and lifted export duties to keep its export sector humming. It has used its $585 billion stimulus plan to spur infrastructure projects. And bank lending has resulted in $1.1 trillion in new credit, helping real estate investment rebound. The aggressive policies were guided, in part, by fear of growing unemployment. China's leadership has staked its credibility and system of government on its ability to deliver jobs and growing prosperity. The unprecedented level of government loans has stoked fears of inflation and record levels of delinquent loans in the coming months, and policies governing the manufacturing sector have drawn concern about overcapacity. The World Bank warned last month that China would have to focus on changing the fundamentals of its economy away from being export-driven to being more reliant on domestic consumption if it hopes to deflect the effects of collapsed global demand. The value of exports for the first six months of 2009 declined 21.8 percent from a year ago. Stimulus spending, the World Bank warned, can't last forever. More investment will be needed in building a social safety net to give Chinese consumers the confidence to spend, they said. Some analysts are more optimistic, believing the stimulus plan has effectively jump-started the economy enough to sustain growth. 'We think the stronger-than-expected (second-quarter) GDP growth will send a reassuring signal to the authorities that their economic stimulus has taken effect,' said Wang Tao, head of China Economic Research for UBS Securities. 'This and the rebound in real estate investment will reduce the need to roll out additional stimulus measures,' Wang said. Wang forecasts GDP growth of 8.2 percent this year and 8.5 percent next year. GDP is the value of a nation's goods and services. 