Beijing, Aug. 17 -- China's economy slowed in July, with retail sales remaining subdued and the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index falling below the crucial 50-mark. Meanwhile, unemployment rose, dampening consumer spending, according to government data released on Monday.

China's retail sales rose 0.6 per cent year-on-year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, slowing from 1 per cent in June. Total retail sales of consumer goods reached 3,902.2 billion yuan (USD 578.7 billion), up by 0.6 percent year on year, or up by 0.06 percent month on month.

However, "In July, the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index stood at 49.2 percent and the Production and Operation Expectation Index was 54.1 percent," the release added....