Consumer Price Index Expanded In May

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, consumer price index rose in May by 3.4 percent over the same period of the previous year.

Of which, urban area and rural area was up by 3.1 percent and 3.9 percent respectively; the price of food, non-food, consumable and services expanded 8.3, 1.0, 3.9 and 1.7 percent respectively. Compared with April, CPI increased 0.3 percent.

In terms of different categories, the price of foodstuff increased 8.3 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of grain was up by 5.9 percent; that of oil or fat, meat, poultry and their products, fresh eggs, aquatic products and flavoring rose by 21.4, 26.5, 37.1, 4.1 and 4.1 percent respectively; while that of fresh vegetables and fresh fruits correspondingly dropped 2.3 and 11.2 percent.

The price of tobacco, liquor and articles jumped by 1.7 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, the price of tobacco and liquor rose 0.8 and 3.4 percent respectively.

The price of clothing was down by 0.1 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of garment dropped 0.1 percent.

The price of household facilities, articles, and maintenance services rose by 2.2 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of durable consumer goods rose by 2.4 percent, and that of household services and manufacturing upkeep surging 6.5 percent.

The price of health care and personal articles increased 1.6 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of western medicines decreased 1.4 percent; that of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and medicines was up by 7.2 percent; and that of health care services shot up by 2.2 percent.

The price of transportation and communication dropped 0.5 percent. Of which, the price of transportation facility dropped 2.4 percent; that of fuels and spares increased 4.0 percent; that of using and upkeep fare rose by 3.2 percent; that of intercity traffic fare rose by 3.9 percent; that of urban traffic fare increased 2.1 percent; and that of communication facility fell 17.7 percent.

The price of recreational, educational and culture decreased 1.2 percent. Of which, price of tuition and child care decreased 0.7 percent; that of teaching materials and reference books dropped 0.7 percent; that of expenditure of culture and recreation increased 2.8 percent; that of tourism and outgoing was up by 2.0 percent; and that of cultural and recreational articles dropped 0.5 percent.

The price of articles related to residence expanded 4.0 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, price of water, electricity and fuels, building and decoration materials, and renting was respectively climbing 2.8, 4.8 and 3.4 percent.

From January to May, the general level of accumulated CPI increased 2.9 percent year-on-year.