Look past China’s short-term cash squeeze to better quality growth, central bank official says

Beijing will press on with its prudent course and work to tamp down risks in the financial market

China’s central bank will “largely” stay on its neutral and prudent monetary course given the overall good state of the country’s economy, its assistant governor said on Tuesday.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) would also continue to try to direct capital towards the real economy rather than speculation, Liu Guoqiang said on the sidelines of the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province.

“The external environment is fairly good, while the domestic foundation for economic stability is also good following supply-side reforms,” he said.

The International Monetary Fund is forecasting China’s economy to grow by 6.8 per cent this year, easing to 6.4 per cent next year. The economy posted 6.9 per cent growth in the first three quarters.

China has also kept capital flows under control and its exports have remained healthy, despite two interest rate rises by the US Federal Reserve this year and the US’ planned tax cuts.

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Liu said the specific growth figures were increasingly being played down and the overall tone was to make progress while ensuring stability.

Thanks to @tipu @banjo