Experts say slower pace casts doubt on many annual economic targets

Provinces across China posted slower GDP growth in the first quarter, with some central and western regions particularly affected, which analysts said put added urgency on a shift in the nation's economic growth model.

Sichuan province, for example, grew 10.2 percent year-on-year in the quarter, 2.9 percent lower than its growth in the first quarter of 2012.