WASHINGTON- The International Monetary Fund (IMF)  said on Monday that China's economy growth is expected to remain robust at 9.6 percent this year after growing by 10.3 percent in 2010.

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The drivers of China's growth are shifting increasingly from public to private demand, said the IMF in its latest World Economic Outlook report.

"Consumption will be buttressed by rapid credit growth, supportive labor market conditions, and continued policy efforts to raise household disposable income," said the report.

In addition, the Fund also projected China output will continue to grow by 9.5 percent in 2012.