BEIJING: The consumer price index in China fell to its lowest level in a year last month, while producer prices hardly budged, according to figures published Saturday by the National Bureau of Statistics. The consumer price index (CPI) — a key measure of retail inflation — rose just 1.5 percent in February year-on-year, compared with 1.7 percent in January. It has now declined for four consecutive months and is at its lowest point since January 2018. China is grappling with a decline in global demand — notably from the United States, which launched a trade war against Beijing last summer.

Growth in China dropped to 6.6 percent last year, its lowest level in 28 years. The government this week announced it is aiming for growth of between just 6 and 6.5 percent this year.—AFP