The central government will not shift its policy direction amid the economic slowdown, but will intensify targeted financial easing in coming months, the State Council said in a statement on Friday.

The statement, which followed an executive meeting of the council, said the government will strengthen the "targeted reduction" of the reserve requirement ratio - the amount of money banks have to set aside as reserves.

The statement said banks that have lent "a certain portion" of their total loans to agriculture-related firms, small and micro-sized enterprises and other companies that cater to economic restructuring demand, would enjoy the ratio cut. It did not specify the portion required.