英语新闻：中国银行再次提高银行准备金率

英语自学网

　　China's central bank has issued another order for lenders to increase their
cash reserves as they struggle to curb inflation.
        　　The People's Bank of China raised the reserve requirement ratio by half a
percent ((50 basis points)), effective May 18. The order means China's biggest
lenders must keep up to 21 percent of their capital in their vaults, and not
lend it out. The government hopes by limiting cash in the economy, it can slow
inflation.
        　　Thursday's order comes a day after Beijing said consumer prices rose 5.3
percent in April. It marks the fifth time this year the central bank has ordered
an increase in cash reserves as part efforts to tighten the flow of money to
slow inflation. The government also has raised interest rates several times.