The average consumption of Beijing residents rose year on year by 14.8 percent to 5,987 yuan (US$738) in the first five months, an actual growth of 13.7 percent after considering inflation.

The soaring prices of oil and property contributed to the rise, according to the Beijing Bureau of Statistics,

In the first five months of this year, urban residents spent an average 842.5 yuan(US$105.3) on transport and telecommunications, a rise of 18.6 percent from the same period a year ago.

Per capita spending on fuel and auto parts was 89.2 yuan(US$11.15), an increase of 79.2 percent.

Meanwhile, the city's urban residents spent an average 443.9 yuan(US$55.5) on housing, up 20.7 percent.

Stimulated by the soaring demand for purchase and rental housing, average expenditure on furnishings rose by 53.1 percent to 152.5 yuan(US$19.06).

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2006)