Home price declines won't become trend: researcher

BEIJING - Declines in home prices in some Chinese cities will not develop into a trend across the country, said a researcher with official background on Friday.

Song Li, a senior researcher with the Academy of Macroeconomic Research of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a news briefing that the current home price at the national level is almost at equilibrium.

"There may be minor fluctuations, but I don't see a trend of declines in the near future," said Song, referring to moderated home price increases or even declines recorded in major cities in recent months.

"China's urbanization rate is still relatively low and there is much room for the property market to develop," he said.

Dismissing worries that falling home prices may result in mounting non-performing bank loans or even create systemic financial risks, Song said banks are resilient to price cuts.

"Some analyses have showed that Chinese banks can withstand price falls by up to 30 percent. I agree with that," he added.

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