The consumer price level went up 1.0% year on year in this July, of which, that in the urban area rose 1.0%, and that in rural area climbed 1.1%, the price of foods went up 0.6%, that of non foods rose 1.2%, that of consumer goods went up 0.7%, that of services climbed 2.3%. Compared with last month, the consumer price level went down 0.3% over June.

Referenced with eight categories, the prices of foods rose 0.6% over last July. Especially, that of grain went up 2.9%, that of grease declined 3.3%, that of meat, poultry and their products dropped by 7.1%, that of fresh eggs descended 12.9%, that of aquatic products was up by 2.5% and that of fresh vegetables went down 3.5%.

The prices of tobacco, liquors and using articles rose 0.5%, of which, that of tobaccos went up 0.1%; that of liquors rose 1.1%.

The price of clothes went down 0.6% over last July, of which, that of clothes declined 1.0%.

The price of home equipment and repair services was up 1.4% over last July, especially, the price of durable consumer goods rose 1.2%, that of home services, processing and repairs went up 6.2%.

The price of medical treatment and health care went up 1.4% over last July, of which, that of western medicines dropped 1.6%, that of traditional Chinese medicine materials and Chinese prepared medicines rose 0.3%, and that of medical treatment and health care services rose 3.1%.

The price of transport and communications went up 0.3% over last July, specifically speaking, that of transport tools dropped by 2.4%, that of vehicle-used fuel and parts climbed 15.8%, that of using vehicles and repairs rose 2.7%, that of transport between cities went up 6.7%, that of transport in urban rose by 6.1%, that of communication devices went down 17.8%.

The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles and service kept the same level with last July. Specifically speaking, that of tuition, miscellaneous fees and sending child to kindergartens went up 0.7%, that of recreational activities rose 3.0%, that of travel and going out went up 4.4%, and that of recreational durable consumer goods dropped 0.5%.

The price of housing went up 4.5%, especially, that of water, electricity and fuels went up 5.3%, that of building and upholstering materials rose 4.1%, that of renting houses was up 3.1%.

Added up from January to July of this year, the consumer price ascended 1.2% over the same period of last year.

(Chinagate.com.cn August 11, 2006)