China's Consumer Price Index (CPI) in May rose 1.4 percent year
on year, said sources with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
on Monday.
The growth rate was higher than the 1.2-percent rise in
April.
A report released by the NBS said the CPI in urban districts in
May rose 1.4 percent over a year ago, while that in rural areas
reported a 1.2 percent rise.
The price of food edged up 1.9 percent and that of non-food
products rose 1.1 percent compared with last year's same period. As
food constitutes a major factor in China's consumer goods, the
1.9-percent rise was significant to the CPI rise.
The prices of poultry, meat and eggs dropped considerably, but
the price of grain rose 1.7 percent. The price of fresh vegetable
grew by 14.6 percent in May, NBS statistics show.
Prices of water, electricity and domestic fuel were up 6.1
percent, and that of building materials and items for decoration
increased by 3.6 percent.
Gasoline and car parts were 13.2 percent up, but prices of
telecommunication equipment dropped 17.9 percent.
The price of medical treatment and health care was 1.3 percent
up, and that of medicine dropped. The price of medical and health
care services went up 3.8 percent.
Figures from the NBS show that the CPI in the first five months
rose 1.2 percent year-on-year, the same as the figure for the first
four months.
(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2006)