China is expected to maintain its benchmark lending rates for the 10th consecutive month in March, according to a Reuters survey. This follows rising global oil prices driven by heightened Middle East tensions and uncertainty over inflation. The loan prime rate (LPR) is calculated each month after 20 designated commercial banks submit proposed rates to the People's Bank of China (PBOC). All respondents in the survey expected both the one-year and five-year LPRs to remain steady at 3.00% and 3.5% respectively. However, analysts at Standard Chartered believe this will have limited impact on China's economy but could impact global supply chains and demand.