Slowdown in industrial activity leads to weakening of Chinese economy

Retail sales in August in China grew 2.1% from the same time last year (Vincent Thian/AP/PA)

China’s economy softened in August, extending a slowdown in industrial activity and property prices as Beijing faces pressure to ramp up spending to stimulate demand.

Data published by the National Bureau of Statistics on Saturday showed weakening activity across industrial production, retail sales and property this month compared to July.