China's economic growth eases slightly to 10.6 percent while inflation remains above 8 percent

China's robust economy slowed only slightly in the first quarter despite global gloom, while inflation stayed above 8 percent in March, the government said Wednesday, adding to pressure to rein in prices that are battering Chinese consumers.

The world's fourth-largest economy expanded by a still impressive 10.6 percent in January-March from a year earlier, down from the previous quarter's 11.2 percent rate, amid weaker global demand for exports and government steps to cool an investment boom.

Consumer prices rose 8.3 percent in March over the same month last year, down only slightly from February's 8.7 percent, the highest rate in nearly 12 years, according …