This data seems to reflect the mounting challenges that the world s second largest economy is facing. factory gate prices have risen more than expected in march which is why oil prices were going up in ukraine and also factories in china were struggling to operate under strict covid lockdowns. consumer price inflation has risen more than expected, a i point side 1.5 cent risen more than expected, a 1 point side 1.5 centjump may not seem like much but you need to take into account here the dampening effect of those lot downs on demand across the country. a reminder here that the lockdown in shanghai has been extended, 26 million people remain stuck at home and what is one of china s biggest and most prosperous cities and there are signs of trouble elsewhere. in guangzhou, 18