China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, is expected to grow 1.8 percent in 2018, according to the country's top economic planner. Inflation will stay within a range set by the government this year, and trade frictions will have a relatively small impact on China's domestic prices, said Guo Liyan, a researcher with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). China is aiming to keep annual CPI growth at around 3 percent this year, the same as the target for 2017. A surge in international oil prices has been the main boost to a 2-percent CPI growth in the first six months, Guo said in ... (full story)