Six key areas to watch on China's economy 2017

Prudent monetary policy

View of the headquarters of the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), Chinas central bank, in Beijing, June 27, 2015. [Photo/IC]

China's monetary policy will be "prudent and neutral" in 2017, according to the Central Economic Work Conference.

Substantial monetary loosening is unlikely next year, while the focus of monetary policy may shift from supporting growth to preventing risks, economists said.

The central bank is expected to prefer tools such as reverse repos and medium-term lending facilities to ensure liquidity and avert excessive credit growth.

Huang Yiping, a central bank advisor, said China's monetary policy next year will be determined by the government's annual economic growth target, while expected rising inflation, higher US interest rates and a weaker yuan will restrict room for loosening.