The Westpac MNI China Consumer Sentiment Indicator, a monthly measure of consumer sentiment, dropped to a six-month low in August, reflecting “growing unease among Chinese consumers,” the South China Morning Post reports. While it covers only part of the economy, the indicator is one of the earliest monthly gauges of growth momentum since flash readings of a privately compiled purchasing managers’ index were stopped a year ago. Sentiment readings have added significance as Beijing tries to change economic gear from heavy reliance on investment to a more sustainable model driven by consumers. Lower consumer confidence and potentially weaker household spending would add uncertainty to an already complex economic situation, with ministries in Beijing pointing fingers at each other over who should do what to arrest slowing growth.