Looking at the Chinese economy now. New numbers show that China's producer inflation picked up for the first time in seven months in April, while consumer inflation eased as food prices climbed at a slower pace.

Official data showed Thursday that China's producer price index rose 3.4 percent in April from a year ago, accelerating from a 17-month low of 3.1 percent in March. The rise was mainly driven by an increase in commodity prices. That came as steel mills stocked up on raw materials such as iron ore and coking coal to meet a seasonal surge in construction. Crude oil and fuel prices have also been on the rise.

ZHANG LIQUN, RESEARCH FELLOW DEPT OF MACROECONOMIC RESEARCH DEV'T RESEARCH CENTER OF THE STATE COUNCIL "Generally, the market demand is growing steadily, both on consumption and investment. On the other hand, the work of cutting overcapacity is still going on, and it means the PPI will be stable in the following months."

During the same period, China's consumer price index rose 1.8 percent from a year earlier. That was marginally lower than expectations and slower than March's gain of 2.1 percent. On a month-on-month basis, the CPI declined 0.2 percent. The eased growth was mainly due to a slower increase in food prices, especially pork, which dropped 16 percent. Non-food prices were stable. Price adjustments for oil products as well as increases in house rent have become the new factors that impact market prices.

ZHANG LIQUN, RESEARCH FELLOW DEPT OF MACROECONOMIC RESEARCH DEV'T RESEARCH CENTER OF THE STATE COUNCIL "The market demand and supply in April was relatively balanced. I think the condition is closes related to a steady growth of the macro economy."

Analysts say as food supply is abundant, while prices in the service sector are growing at a slower pace. Market prices will remain stable in the long run.