China says March inflation eases to 8.3 percent, economy grew 10.6 percent in 1st quarter

The Chinese government says inflation in the country eased slightly to 8.3 percent in March.

The National Bureau of Statistics also reported Wednesday that China's economic growth in the first quarter slowed to a still-robust 10.6 percent.

The figures come amid government efforts to rein in accelerating inflation by boosting food supplies and cooling a boom driven by investment and exports.

The March inflation figure was a slight easing from February's 8.7 percent, the highest level in nearly 12 years.