HONG KONG — China said Monday evening that it would free up banks in the country to lend more, as the government tries to shore up slowing economic growth.

The country’s top financial policy makers are trying to reassure the rest of the world that their management of the economy remains on track, and that they still have many tools at their disposal to avoid an even sharper slowdown in growth. China is also grappling with persistent capital outflows because of expectations that the currency, the renminbi, could weaken further.

The country’s top leaders are to convene in Beijing on Thursday for the first of the so-called two meetings, the annual gatherings of the full membership of the national legislature and a sprawling committee of political advisers.