Beijing: The Chinese central bank kept its policy interest rate constant on Wednesday, in line with market expectations, an official statement said. The bank maintained its one-year loan prime rate at 3% while the five-year loan prime rate remained steady at 3.5%. According to Anadolu Agency, the bank has kept the rate at the same level since June, following a reduction in May from 3.6%. Meanwhile, the nation's annual inflation rate showed minimal variation, standing at 0% in August, 0.1% in July, and a slight deflation of minus 0.1% in June.