PBOC expects China economic growth of 6.8% in 2016

[BEIJING] China's annual economic growth is likely to slow to 6.8 per cent in 2016 from an expected 6.9 per cent this year, the People's Bank of China said in a working paper published on Wednesday.

China's consumer price index is likely to climb 1.7 per cent in 2016 from this year, while its producer price index is forecast to fall 1.8 per cent year-on-year, the central bank said in the research report.

The central bank expects China's fixed-asset investment to grow 10.8 per cent in 2016 from this year and forecasts retail sales to rise 11.1 per cent on-year.

China's exports are expected to rise an annual 3.1 per cent in 2016 while imports are expected to grow 2.3 per cent, the PBOC said in its projections.

REUTERS