'Global crisis is an opportunity for Chinese lenders'

Editor's note:

While many global banks have seen their fortunes tumble in the financial crisis, banks in China are experiencing strong growth. Lending by Chinese banks saw record monthly growth in the first two months of 2009. But are there potential risks in the recent lending surge? Xiao Gang, chairman of Bank of China, shared his opinions with China Daily reporter Yang Zhen in an exclusive interview at the Beijing headquarters of the country's third-largest bank.

Q: Some economists and analysts suggest that China's economy would be able to recover from the global financial crisis by the end of this year. How long do you think the impact of the global financial crisis will last?

A: I believe that the central government's stimulus efforts will help China's economy maintain 8 percent growth this year.