Inflation pressures continue to ease

'Real interest rates' likely to persist over longer term, says NBS chief

"Real interest rates" are likely to persist over the longer term as inflationary pressure continues to ease this year, China's top statistical official said on Sunday.

"As the country's rapid economic growth comes down to an appropriate level, inflationary pressure is also abating this year," Ma Jiantang, head of the National Bureau of Statistics, said on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing.