SHANGHAI, June 28 — China’s central bank said today that the country’s economic growth faces challenges from the global coronavirus pandemic, despite signs of improvement amid business re-openings.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement it would continue to guide lending rates lower by exploiting the full potential of reforms, and would strengthen financial support to small- and medium-sized enterprises and private firms.

The PBOC made the statement after its monetary policy committee held a seasonal meeting on June 24, it said. — Reuters