China would maintain a moderately loose monetary policy to support economic growth, the monetary policy committee of the People's Bank of China (PBOC, the central bank) reiterated on Thursday.

There had been positive changes in the economic situation, but the foundation of a recovery was not stable and many uncertainties remained, the committee said in a statement on the PBOC website.

Gross domestic product grew 9 percent in the third quarter of 2008, but growth then slumped to 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter and further to 6.1 percent in the first quarter of 2009.

The National Bureau of Statistics posted an article on its website on Tuesday, in which it estimated the economy grew 8 percent in the second quarter this year.

The PBOC committee said it would maintain "continuity and stability" in monetary policy and guide "reasonable growth" in money supply and credit.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2009)