China's per capita disposable income of urban residents stood at 7,072 yuan (US$850) in the first three quarters of 2004, up 7 percent in real terms from last year, said a report from the National Bureau of Statistics Wednesday.

Statistics showed that the urban dwellers' average wage income rose by 11.8 percent year-on-year to 5,364 yuan (US$646). During this period, Chinese people earned 54.5 percent more from house lease over a year earlier, or an average of 65 yuan (US$7.8).

Meanwhile, Chinese urban residents spent more. The per-capita spending went up 10.9 percent year-on-year to 5,373 yuan (US$647), up 6.5 percent in real terms.

Urban dwellers spent 40 percent more in transportation comparedto a year earlier. During this period, their per-capita expenses for health care products went up 41 percent over a year earlier.

(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2004)