MINYANVILLE ORIGINAL Standard & Poor’s affirmed its sovereign ratings on China this week saying that the country will “maintain strong growth” even though economic expansion in the mainland this year is set to slow to its lowest rate in 13 years.   The ratings agency maintained its AA- rating and A-1+ ratings on China’s long-term and short-term credit respectively. The credit affirmation reflect China’s “strong economic growth potential robust external position and the government's relatively healthy fiscal position " said S&P in a statement. “We expect no major change in policy directions in China in the wake of the ...