China’s Easing Deflation Is Just a Minor Reprieve, Experts Say

China’s consumer price rebound in February — the first in six months — offers only temporary relief from deflationary pressures on the economy, experts say. They caution that the economy still faces challenges and urge policymakers to adopt a more proactive approach. Experts suggest the boost came from an uptick in service activities and is overshadowed by manufacturing imbalances, weak consumer demand, and the persisting property sector drag. Dong Lijuan, an NBS statistician, attributed the rise in CPI to increased demand during the Lunar New Year, which was observed between Feb. 10 and Feb. 24. The bounce to positive territory also contrasted with the biggest dip in over 14 years, owing to a larger statistical base in January 2023 as…