China's property market "bubble" is set to burst as the government curbs credit growth and clamps down on speculation, according to independent economist Andy Xie.

As bank lending slows, "it's very difficult to see this demand continuing," Xie, formerly Morgan Stanley's chief Asian economist, told Bloomberg Television in Hong Kong today.

Tougher property policies may lower 2010 sales volumes 10%, compared with an earlier forecast for growth of as much as 5%, BNP Paribas said in a report today. The Shanghai Composite Index has slid 10% this year, the worst performer among the 94 global gauges tracked by Bloomberg, on concern that China will add further lending curbs.