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Central bank official sees 2009 growth near 8%

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-22 12:46

China's economy will grow close to the government's target of 8 percent this year, Yi Gang, a vice governor of the People's Bank of China, said on Wednesday.

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Speaking to the annual meeting of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Yi said that any rise in the consumer price index in 2009 would be very low. He said he hoped prices would rise, not fall.

China is relaxed about the slower rise in its foreign exchange reserves witnessed in recent months, he said.

It hopes for equilibrium in its external payments because it recognizes that a sharp rise in its balance of payments surplus is not sustainable, Yi added.

He said the authorities had recognized the risks inherent in a recent surge in bank lending, which he said would slow to a sustainable pace in coming months.