China's macro economy has remained sound and stable with the trend of overheating growth being reined in.

"Overheating economic growth is being put under control with decline in the growth of major economic indicators," said Li Xiaochao, spokesman of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Official statistics show the growth of fixed assets investment in urban areas in the first ten months was 4.5 percentage points lower than the same period last year.

Industrial production, which plays a leading role in economic growth, showed a sharp drop in growth rate and a steady increase in profits.

Official statistics show the country's industrial production grew by 14.7 percent year on year in October, compared with 19.5 percent in June, while the profits rose by 30.1 percent in the first ten months, compared with 28 percent in the first half year.

Analysts say the regulation by market forces is not enough and it should be combined with necessary fiscal and administrative measures, because China's economy is in a period of transformation with market system underdeveloped and regional development unbalanced.

The galloping expansion of China's bank loans has been controlled with the growth of broad money supply or M2 gradually dropping from 18.4 percent in June to 16.8 in September.

Li said China's macro economic regulation is timely and effective without drastic fluctuations.

The prices rose slowly and the energy supply was much improved. A survey by NBS showed most large and medium-sized enterprises did not consider tight energy supply as a major factor restraining their business development in the third quarter.

"The macro economic regulation policies will continue and remain stable in the fourth quarter and the near future to build a solid foundation for economic development next year," said Zhu Hongren, senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission.

However, the growth of fixed assets investment and bank loans is likely to rebound, the imbalance of the international payments is widening and the country still faces serious challenges of environmental protection.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2006)