The "2017 Blue Book of China's Society" was launched at a news conference on Dec. 21 by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

The annual survey seeks to highlight progress made by China, and flag up potential threats to steady development.

In general the Blue Book notes that Chinese society is developing steadily, but is faced with multiple challenges.

Incomes have continued to rise in the past year, says the report, with average disposable incomes in the first nine months of 2016 rising to 17,735 yuan (about 2,552 U.S. dollars), a 6.3 percent increase year on year after adjusting. The first three quarters of this year saw an average consumption of 12,247 yuan (about 1,762 U.S. dollars), a real growth rate of 6.4 percent year on year.

"This trend has been continuing for about five years," said Chen Guangjin, who edited the book. "It shows how we can further increase the income of farmers. This is about stimulating consumption by farmers, which in turn could boost consumption by society as a whole."

Chen noted that in terms of driving economic growth, consumption accounted for 71% in the first three quarters of this year. Last year, it was closer to 50%, representing a jumped of about 20 percentage points this year.

"In my view, this is a not normal. It goes hand in hand with the decrease in investment growth. Economic reforms should be sped up, especially in actually implementing the decisive role of the market in resource allocation, as was required by the central government," said Chen.