Beijing - The effects of the global financial crisis have already spread beyond China's export sector into the whole economy, a top economic planner said Wednesday.

In the last three months, the impact of the financial crisis has spread from coastal to inland areas and to companies in all sectors, the official Xinhua news agency quoted Zhang Ping, minister for the National Development and Reform Commission, as saying.

The deepening crisis has "greatly affected China's economy," slowing investment demand, causing difficulties in industrial production, and reducing the revenues of many businesses, Zhang said

Zhang pointed to other problems including sluggish sales in property and vehicle markets, and rising unemployment.

Turmoil in international markets has "shattered" the sentiment of Chinese investors, he was quoted as saying in a report to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the nominal state parliament of the ruling Communist Party.

"Detailed plans on expansion of domestic demand over the next two years should be formulated as soon as possible," Zhang said.

He also urged immediate measures to "maintain stable export growth" and support the nation's pillar industries.

"The stability of agriculture is essential against a backdrop of an international financial crisis," said Zhang, urging greater efforts to increase production and raise farmers' incomes.

The agency called Zhang's address to the committee a "sombre report on how the intensifying impact of the world financial and economic crisis is reverberating through China's economy."

In early November, the government announced a 4-trillion-yuan (586-billion-dollar) package to stimulate domestic demand by financing 10 major programmes of infrastructure and other spending over the next two years.

Zhang said total central and local government funds for related projects in the fourth quarter of 2008 would reach about 400 billion yuan. (dpa)