'China's economy to grow about 7%'

The country's economic growth rate may remain stable at a relatively lower level in 2015

China's economic growth could slow to between 6.9 per cent and 7.1 per cent this year as the country fends off deflation risks, the head of the Chinese central bank's research bureau said on Tuesday.

In an opinion piece in the China Daily newspaper, Lu Lei said fixed asset investment growth in the world's second-largest economy is likely to cool further this year, dragged by a sagging property market and a fall-off in state investment.

"China's economic growth rate may remain stable at a relatively lower level in 2015, between 6.9 per cent and 7.1 per cent, restricted by sluggish demand," Lu wrote.