BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Commerce Minister Chen Deming said Tuesday the country is expected to see robust growth in consumption against the global economic turmoil.

Given the 1.3 billion population, the country has a great market potential, especially in the countryside, he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's legislative body.

"Consumption growth has been very stable as far as I can see," said the minister.

"Government measures to promote sales and expand consumption have begun to take effect," he added.

Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Yizhong and Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Yin Weimin attend a press conference on "Boost domestic demand, increase employment and sustain economic growth" held by the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2009.