Experts see tightening of money supply

Keeping it to single digits will help to bolster economy, rein in nation's debt

China is likely to set the slowest money growth target in history, at around 9 percent, next year after top policymakers pledged to control the "master valve" of total money supply, which is recognized as the origin of the surging debt burden and the trigger of asset bubbles.

Economists, who were involved in high-level policy discussions before the tone-setting annual Central Economic Work Conference last week, told China Daily the signal that the debt level will continue to be reduced is "very obvious", based on a statement after the conference highlighting that "prudential monetary policy should remain neutral".