Chinese leaders have warned that economic growth could slow further and are calling for renewed efforts to boost domestic demand.

Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that "economic downward pressure is still relatively large" despite stimulus measures.

In its latest moves, the government said Monday it will spend more on railway construction and launch projects to increase private sector investment in energy, finance and other industries.

The official Xinhua News Agency said Wen, joined by President Hu Jintao, spoke at a government seminar on the economy.

Hu, in a rare public comment on the economy, called for efforts to increase domestic demand, though he gave no details.