CPI decline may spur easing, stimulus

Main gauge of inflation falls 0.1 percent in May, same as in April

China's price levels remained subdued in May, leaving ample room for further monetary easing and robust fiscal stimulus in the remainder of the year, analysts said on Monday.

They said more policy support is needed to shore up demand in the world's second-largest economy, as policymakers navigate a more complicated and challenging external environment amid trade tensions with the United States.

Their comments came as data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the country's consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, fell by 0.1 percent year-on-year in May, the same as in the previous month.