China's industrial output slows

BEIJING, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Industrial output in China reached its slowest level in a year, the government said Tuesday.

However, output remains strong as China's industrial production rose by 15.5 percent in July compared to a year ago, according to the statistics bureau. The rate increased by 16.2 percent the previous month. Auto output was down 5.4 percent from a year ago, compared to 20.4 percent in June.

Still, the comparative slowdown is expected to ease the need for the Chinese central bank to raise interest rates, economists said.