China's consumer price index (CPI) growth slowed in June, falling short of market expectations, while producer prices accelerated on the back of strong export orders.
The divergence highlights the persistent structural split in the world's second-largest economy, where external demand remains resilient even as internal consumption struggles to gain momentum.
Consumer prices rose 1% year-on-year in June, a figure that disappointed analysts who had forecast a stronger rebound.
Consumer prices rose 1% year-on-year in June, a figure that disappointed analysts who had forecast a stronger rebound.
Meanwhile, wholesale inflation picked up pace, driven largely by higher energy costs and robust demand from overseas buyers.
This pattern reinforces the view among investors that China's growth model is increasingly bifurcated, with manufacturing and exports outperforming the domestic services and consumption sectors.
The latest data adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that domestic demand remains fragile.