BEIJING, Dec 31: The Chinese government will try to restrict its booming economy to single-digit growth in 1993 to prevent inflation, but debate continues within the leadership on the exact target to set, an official said Wednesday, reports Reuter.

The economic growth target has not yet been set, but we hope it will be below the double digits," state statistical bureau spokesman Zhang Zhongjl said.

China's gross nation product increased an estimated 12 per cent In 1992, with the government's original target, six per cent, raised at least twice during the year.

The official was speaking after a news conference during

which he warned of building inflationary pressure due to an excessive money supply and a "craze" for new capital construction by local governments.

The nationwide cost of living index already rose an estimated 6.2 per cent in 1992, up sharply from 3.5 per cent in the previous year, he said. Inflation In the cities averaged 11 per cent, up from eight per cent.

Factory inventories and personal savings are high and prices of production materials such as steel and concrete have skyrocketed as the government gradually frees prices under its market reform plan.

Since the summer the Beijing leadership has called on banks to tighten credit.