China consumer price growth slows, renewing deflation fears

SHANGHAI -- China's consumer prices rose at a slower pace and the decline in producer prices widened in March, renewing concerns about deflationary pressure in the world's second-largest economy.

Figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed prices for consumer goods grew 0.1% compared with the same month last year, trailing the 0.7% increase recorded in February. That uptick had followed five months of contraction, including the steepest monthly fall in 14 years in January.