China cuts mortgage lending rate for first time in two years
中国将近两年来首次下调按揭贷款利率
China has cut its benchmark rate for mortgage lending for the first time in nearly two years, adding to a cycle of gradual monetary easing as policymakers seek to counter a loss of economic momentum.
中国将近两年来首次下调按揭贷款基准利率，继续推进这一轮渐进的货币宽松政策。政策制定者试图逆转经济增长乏力的势头。
The five-year loan prime rate, which is typically used to price mortgages, was lowered from 4.65 per cent to 4.6 per cent on Thursday. The one-year equivalent, widely used for other forms of lending, was cut from 3.8 per cent to 3.7 per cent, following a previous reduction in December.
周四，5年期贷款市场报价利率(LPR)从4.65%下调至4.6%，这一利率通常用于为按揭贷款定价。用于为其他贷款定价的1年期LPR从3.8%下调至3.7%，此前该指标在12月已经下调过一次。
The measures were expected following a People’s Bank of China press conference on Tuesday at which officials hinted at further easing against the backdrop of a weakening economy.
中国央行(PBoC)周二召开新闻发布会后，外界对这些措施已有预期。央行官员在发布会上暗示，在经济下行的背景下，可能会出台更多宽松措施。
