THE CURRENT EASING OF HEADLINE INFLATION indicates that rising prices may not be entrenched in the still-robust Chinese economy. Yet the dip in inflation is too shallow and too short to justify optimism about the country's fight against soaring consumer prices.

In the face of increasing uncertainties about the global economy, Chinese policymakers should press ahead with their efforts to further bring down inflationary pressures. It is simply premature and precarious to count on a global double-dip recession as a sure antidote to domestic inflation.

Latest statistics show that China's consumer inflation eased from a 37-month high for a second month in September. The year-on-year growth of the country's consumer price index (CPI) slid from 6.5 percent in July to 6.2 percent in August and 6.1 percent last month.