China's consumer price inflation eased to a three-month low in April on weak food price growth, while producer price inflation increased for the first time in seven months on commodity prices, according to rttnews.

Inflation eased to 1.8 percent in April from 2.1 percent in March. This was the lowest since January, when the rate was 1.5 percent and below the expected level of 1.9 percent.

The government targets around 3 percent inflation for 2018.

Food price inflation decreased to 0.7 percent from 2.1 percent, while non-food price inflation held steady at 2.1 percent in April.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices dropped 0.2 percent following March's 1.1 percent decrease. Prices have declined for the second straight month.