China's Economic Indicators Show Cooling Inflation Amid Weak Domestic Demand
China's consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.5% year-on-year in July, marking a six-month low, while the producer price index (PPI) increased by 3.5% year-on-year, according to official data. This cooling of inflation is attributed to lower oil prices and weakening domestic demand, despite strong exports and factory output. The data suggests that deflationary pressures persist, with household demand subdued due to a property market slump and job security concerns. The Chinese government has signaled stronger fiscal spending to bolster growth, with the effects expected to materialize with a lag of about one quarter.