Central Banks

China cuts interest rates for third time since Nov as economy sputters

China's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points to 5.1 percent on Sunday, its third reduction since November, as economic growth cools to levels not seen since the global financial crisis.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) also reduced one-year benchmark deposit rates by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent, it said in a statement on its website, adding that the reductions would be effective on May 11.

Brent Lewin | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The central bank said the move would support the healthy development of the economy.

Economists had said it was not a matter of if, but when China eased policy again after economic growth in the first quarter cooled to 7 percent, the slowest pace since 2009.

Read MoreHank Paulson: WhyChina's economy is slowing

Initial indicators and industry surveys for April released over the last few weeks had pointed to a further loss of momentum heading into the second quarter.

"Currently, the pace of domestic economic restructuring is quickening and the fluctuation of external demand is relatively big. China's economy is still facing relatively big downward pressure," the central bank said.

Soggy China data prompt more easing: HSBC
VIDEO3:5203:52
Soggy China data prompt more easing: HSBC

Liquidity in the banking system is generally adequate and market interest rates are falling, providing a good window to open up the upper limit for deposit rates, it said.

The central bank has now cut interest rates and relaxed banks' reserve requirements five times in six months, and many economists expect more easing measures over the course of the year as the world's second-largest economy is weighed down by a weak property market and slackening growth in manufacturing and investment.