China's consumer price index, a primary gauge of inflation, will fall into a reasonable range of 2 to 3 percent this year, meaning China will maintain its prudent and neutral monetary policy, Yi Gang, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, China's central bank, said on Saturday.

Yi said the projection falls in the "golden range" for CPI growth, and China's CPI target will be close to it this year.

"China should keep its monetary policy prudent and neutral, as it will help foster steady and healthy economic development while containing inflation and asset bubbles," Yi told reporters on the sidelines of the annual plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, the nation's top political advisory body.