China's central bank auctioned 90 billion yuan of three-year bills in its regular operations on Thursday at a yield of 4.56 percent, traders said, in line with market expectations.

The three-year bill yield was at 4.56 percent for a fifth auction in a row.

The central bank also auctioned 75 billion yuan of one-year bills at a yield of 4.0583 percent, and 30 billion yuan of three-month bills at 3.4071 percent. Both results were also in line with market expectations.

The one-year bill yield was at 4.0583 percent for a seventh auction in a row. On Thursday two weeks ago, the three-month bill sale produced a yield of 3.4000 percent, slightly down from 3.4071 percent at the previous auction, but that was due to a quirk in the calendar.

The market was closed for Lunar New Year holidays from February 6 through 12.