China's inflation in August eases to 2 percent

BEIJING (AP) — China's consumer inflation eased in August amid signs of cooling economic growth.

Government data Thursday showed prices rose 2 percent from a year earlier, down from July's 2.3 percent increase. Producer prices fell 0.2 percent, extending a months-long decline.

The price rise was well below the government's target for the year of 3.5 percent.

Trade and manufacturing have weakened, prompting suggestions Beijing might try to shore up economic growth. But Chinese leaders so far have ruled out a large-scale stimulus that might fuel pressure for prices to rise.