China's Consumer Price Index (CPI), the country's main measure of inflation, rose 1.3 percent in the first eleven months year-on-year, 0.5 percentage points lower than the same period last year, according to a report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday.

 

November's Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up 1.9 percent in November 2005, said NBS statisticians.

 

Grain prices increased 4.7 percent year on year. To stabilize domestic prices, China auctioned grain reserves on four occasions during the year.

 

Food price fluctuations represent 30 percent of CPI growth.

 

In the food category, edible oil prices rose 6.2 percent, meat prices went up 7.6 percent, egg prices increased 11.7 percent but vegetable prices dropped 4.2 percent in November over the same period last year.

 

Among major non-food items, fuel prices went up 12.1 percent, consumer goods rose 1.8 percent and medical care services saw a rise of 2.1 percent. Prices for telecommunication tools dropped 17.6 percent and rents went up 4.1 percent.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2006)