Central bank faces tough task in balancing monetary policy

BEIJING - As the world's second biggest economy is at a historic transition, its central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), has many balls to juggle. Sustaining growth, supporting structural reform, curbing asset bubbles and averting financial risks - in face of the increasingly delicate tasks, the PBOC's monetary regulation has also evolved.

In the past year, monetary authorities have introduced an upgraded regulation framework, created new liquidity tools and refined their maneuvers.

China will continue to keep its monetary policy prudent and neutral in 2018, central authorities declared at a tone-setting annual economic meeting in December.