The International Monetary Fund said China's slowing economy faces significant downside risks and relies too much on investment, urging leaders to boost consumption and channel citizens' savings away from housing.

The IMF repeated an assessment that the yuan is “moderately” undervalued, which China disputed, the Washington-based lender said in an annual review. The fund omitted an estimated range for the currency's undervaluation that was included in an earlier draft, according to two officials at the fund who had seen the previous language and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The call to support consumer spending echoes priorities set by Premier Wen Jiabao's government, which is seeking to stem a six-quarter slowdown in economic growth. Leaders have cut interest rates and stepped up investment as the ruling Communist Party prepares for a once-a-decade leadership handover starting later this year.