China's consumer prices continued to fall last month, with official data highlighting the battle leaders face in trying to kickstart domestic spending in the world's number two economy while fighting a trade war with the United States.

Beijing has spent recent years grappling with a range of issues that have weighed on growth and consumer activity, including a persistent slump in the country's vast property market and high youth unemployment.

That has been compounded by a renewed standoff with Washington since Donald Trump became US president and unleashed a tariff war on the world, with a particular eye on Beijing.

The uncertainty this has fanned has made the country's army of shoppers tighten their wallets.

Figures on Wednesday showed the country's consumer price index -- a key measu

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