China consumer prices hit 4-month high of 2.5%

CHINA'S consumer price index picked up and hit a four-month high of 2.5 per cent last month, easing deflationary concerns in the world's second-largest economy.

The number slightly beat market expectations of 2.4 per cent. In April, prices rose 1.8 per cent, sparking fears that inflation could fall into negative territory amid slowing economic growth.

A rise in pork prices and a low base effect were the main drivers of inflation last month, figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed.