China says economic growth still within reasonable range

Zhang Tao, the deputy governor of People's Bank of China (PBOC), made the comment at a meeting in Russia held by the Russian central bank, the central bank said on its website.

Zhang added that prudent monetary policy has helped provide a neutral and appropriate monetary and financial environment, according to the statement.

Such a policy has also improved China's ability to cope with shocks from a market-based interest rate and yuan foreign exchange mechanism, he added.

(Reporting By Beijing Monitoring Desk; Editing by Kim Coghill)