Consumer prices in China rose 3.0 per cent in November compared to the same period last year, the Government said on Monday.

The figure represents a slowdown from October, when the consumer price index — a key measure of inflation — climbed 3.2 per cent.

Food prices in November rose 5.9 per cent compared to a year earlier, while the prices of non-food products increased 1.6 per cent, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

November’s overall figure remains below the Government’s annual inflation target of 3.5 per cent.

Observers said that lower inflation could give the central bank more room to manoeuvre if it loosens the monetary policy and takes measures to stimulate growth.

China’s annual economic growth fell to 7.8 per cent last year, the slowest since 1999, and it is expected to be marginally below that figure this year.

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