BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's auto sales would not rise as steeply as that in 2009, but would continue to see double-digit growth boosted by government stimulus measures, an official with the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

Chang Xiaocun, who headed the market construction department of the ministry said at a news conference that research had shown that after a nation's per capital GDP surpasses 3,000 U.S. dollars, it would see brisk auto sales as more families could afford to buy cars.

China met that criteria in 2008, he said.