China's consumer inflation rate rose 2.5 percent in January from a year earlier, compared to 2.1 percent in December. The increase was the highest since May 2014 and beat market expectations.

People select agricultural products in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 3, 2017. (Xinhua/Tan Jin)

Meanwhile, official data released Tuesday also showed that China's producer price index rose 6.9 percent year on year in January, compared with December's rise of 5.5 percent. The PPI rate has increased for a fifth straight month, the fastest growth since August 2011.

It is seen as a positive sign of strengthening demand as China's economy stabilizes.