China will continue to lead the world's economic output in 2011, with its economy projected to grow 9.6 percent year-on-year in 2011, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its updated World Economic Outlook on Jan 25.

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The figure for China has remained unchanged from the fund's October forecast, which is still the highest among countries enlisted in the IMF's report.

Meanwhile, the IMF raised its forecast for global economic growth this year, saying the world output is expected to expand 4.4 percent this year, up from the 4.2 percent it forecasted in October.

Expansion next year is expected to reach 4.5 percent, unchanged from October, according to the report.