China’s consumer inflation climbed in February, marking the strongest annual increase in more than three years as extended Lunar New Year celebrations lifted spending across travel, dining, and leisure services. Data released Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics showed consumer prices rising faster than economists expected, signalling a temporary boost to demand during the holiday period. Factory-gate deflation also moderated as rising commodity prices helped stabilise industrial costs. The figures come as policymakers attempt to revive domestic consumption while managing slower growth and geopolitical risks ... (full story)