Low inflation may suggest downward risks

Flat inflationary pressure in the first month of 2014 may be suggestive of a weak economic outlook, experts said.

The consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, rose 2.5 percent year-on-year in January, unchanged from December and slightly above the market consensus of 2.4 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday.

Food inflation in January rose 3.7 percent, the fastest monthly increase since March 2013, reflecting strong demand during the Chinese Lunar New Year.