CHINA-ECONOMY
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China's gross domestic product growth has fallen below its target of 7.5% for the year, deepening concerns about the strength of the world's No. 2 economy. However, with inflation not yet a priority concern for China's economic planners and agencies, the People's Bank of China, the Ministry of Finance, the State Planning Commission and other financial regulators are discussing whether more should be done to bolster growth, including cutting interest rates for the first time in two years.
Meanwhile, earlier this week China's State Council decided to target more bank funding for small businesses and farms by easing lending rules. Interest rates are not being cut for now, on the ground that a rush of new credit could add to already ballooning debt and funnel money to the real-estate sector, which is already struggling with a housing glut.
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