In November, China's factory-gate prices fell annually for the second consecutive month, while consumer inflation slowed, reflecting lackluster activity and soft demand in an economy hampered by strict economic controls. Analysts anticipated that the government will maintain low interest rates and implement confidence-building measures. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday, the producer pricing index (PPI) was down 1.3% on a year-over-year basis, unchanged from October's yearly decline. This was less than the 1.4% decline predicted by a Reuters poll. The consumer price index (CPI) grew at its slowest rate in eight months in November, up 1.6% from a year earlier, which was smaller than the 2.1% annual increase observed in October but in line with a Reuters poll. According to Zhiwei Zhang, chief economist of Pinpoint Asset Management, "these figures show the economic momentum continues to decline." Tuesday's high-level poli...