China's economic growth has slowed further in the second quarter after the government stepped up its battle against inflation. Growth was 9.5 per cent in the three months to the end of June compared with a year earlier. That is down from 9.7 per cent in the previous quarter. China says controlling prices is its top priority after inflation hit a three-year high in June. China has already raised interest rates three times this year; the most recent increase coming last week.