Feb. 15 (Bloomberg) -- China’s economy, the world’s third biggest, may expand at a faster pace in 2010 even as officials cool lending to restrain inflation and avert asset bubbles.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. maintained its forecast for 11.4 percent growth after the central bank raised reserve requirements for lenders on Feb. 12. That compares with an 8.7 percent expansion last year.

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Merrill forecasts 10.1 percent growth and Capital Economics Ltd. sees a 10 percent gain, estimates unchanged from before the reserve-ratio announcement that takes effect Feb. 25.