CHINA'S inflation may expand by the same rate last month as that in April while minor changes are likely in other economic indicators, analysts predicted ahead of the data release later this week.

The Consumer Price Index, the main gauge of inflation, may increase 2.4 percent in May from a year earlier, the same as April's, according to Industrial Bank's economist Lu Zhengwei.

"The outbreak of bird flu disease seems under control," Lu said. "Therefore the prices of food will stabilize in the future."

China's inflation rebounded slightly in April from 2.1 percent in March, but analysts said the consumer prices remained "tame," giving room for the government to finetune its policies.

"China has not unveiled new macroeconomic policies so far," Lu said. "It is probably because the government would like to have a better understanding of the current economic conditions and be well prepared for upcoming reforms" later this year.

The reforms may include a redefinition of tax-sharing with provincial and local governments, clarification of land ownership transfer and decentralization of administrative controls.

Li Maoyu, an analyst at Changjiang Securities Co, said the data in May may provide evidence of a weakening economy but retail sales are likely to recover a bit after the government's anti-corruption campaign.

"The data, especially figures for trade and industrial output, may point to a softer economy than we have expected," Li pointed out.