China's benchmark lending rate remained unchanged in September, the country's central bank announced on Friday.
China's one-year loan prime rate (LPR), a market-based benchmark lending rate, came in at 3.35 percent Friday, unchanged from the previous month.
The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 3.85 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center.
The LPR is the most preferential lending rate offered by a commercial bank to its prime clients, and serves as a reference for other lending rates across the economy.
The loan prime rate is calculated by the National Interbank Funding Center, based on quotes submitted by 20 commercial banks. The unchanged rate suggests confidence in market stability on the part of lenders.
The LPR underwent a major reform in 2019, aiming to enhance the role of the market in LPR quoting, improve the efficiency of interest rate transmission, and lower financing costs for the real economy.
China's loan prime rates remain unchanged
Syrian people have condemned Israel for the communication device explosions in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, and called on the international community to take steps to stop such atrocities.
Lebanese officials reported that the death toll from the explosions targeting pagers and handheld radios used by Hezbollah members across Lebanon had risen to 37, with 2,931 people injured.
Meanwhile, a war monitor agency in Lebanon's neighbor Syria said four Hezbollah fighters were injured as their communication devices exploded inside a vehicle in Damascus, adding that two similar incidents took place in two other areas of the city, respectively.
No Israeli officials have claimed responsibility for the blasts though Hezbollah has attributed them to Israel.
In interviews with China Central Television (CCTV) on Thursday, people in Damascus accused Israel of being responsible for the attacks that also caused civilian casualties.
"These incidents indicate that Israel wants war. This must be ended, because tens of thousands of civilians, including children, women and elderly people, are suffering and dying because of Israel's actions," said Wasim, a local.
"This is a heinous crime, an unexpected new type of aggression. Israel should be responsible for it. Israel is attempting to destroy Palestine by all means," said Mohammed, another Damascus resident.
"The Syrian people condemn the explosions in Lebanon. We call on the international community to stop the violence, whether in Gaza, southern Lebanon or in other Arab countries. This is completely unacceptable and must be completely rejected," said Dima, a local resident.
Syrians condemn Israel for pager explosions in Lebanon
