Industrial production slows down

China's industrial production grew at the slowest pace this year, suggesting weaker export growth and government curbs on lending are starting to cool the world's fastest-growing major economy.

Output rose 17.3 percent in November from a year earlier, the statistics bureau said yesterday, after gaining 17.9 percent in October.

Weaker global growth may further curb overseas shipments after the government this year reduced tax incentives for exporters. China has curbed bank lending to try to prevent the economy from overheating after inflation jumped to an 11-year high in November.