BEIJING (REUTERS) - Economists at China's central bank have lowered their 2015 growth forecast for the Chinese economy to 7.0 per cent, from 7.1 per cent, citing increased downward pressure on activity.

In a report posted on the central bank's website, the economists also lowered their forecasts for China's trade growth, and said their estimates represented their personal views and not that of the People's Bank of China.