China raised banks' reserve requirements for the fifth time thisyear to restrain prices, underscoring the risk that tighteningmeasures will cause a slowdown in the world's second-biggesteconomy.

Reserve ratios will increase 0.5 percentage point from May 18,the People's Bank of China said on its website today. That willboost levels for the nation's biggest lenders to a record 21percent.

The central bank moved after reports yesterday showed inflationand lending exceeded economists' estimates in April, with consumerprices rising more than 5 percent for a second month. Premier WenJiabao aims to tame inflation that is spreading beyond food toother goods, while sustaining growth as the economy shows signs ofcooling.

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