The consumer price level went up 1.4% year on year in this October, of which, that in the urban area rose 1.4%, and that in rural area climbed 1.3%, the price of foods went up 2.2%, that of non foods rose 1.0%, that of consumer goods went up 1.4%, that of services climbed 1.5%. Compared with last month, the consumer price level went up 0.1% over September.

Referenced with eight categories, the prices of foods rose 2.2% over last October. Especially, that of grain went up 3.7%, that of grease rose 1.2%, that of meat, poultry and their products rose by 2.6%, that of fresh eggs rose 5.9%, that of aquatic products was up by 2.6% and that of fresh vegetables went down by 5.7%.

The prices of tobacco, liquors and using articles rose 0.8%, of which, that of tobaccos went up 0.2%; that of liquors rose 2.0%.

The price of clothes went down 0.2% over last October, of which, that of clothes declined 0.5%.

The price of home equipment and repair services was up 1.7% over last October. Especially, the price of durable consumer goods rose 1.6%, that of home services, processing and repairs went up 5.6%.

The price of medical treatment and health care went up 1.3% over last October, of which, that of western medicines dropped 1.8%, that of traditional Chinese medicine materials and Chinese prepared medicines rose 1.3%, and that of medical treatment and health care services rose 2.1%.

The price of transport and communications went up 0.1% over last October, specifically speaking, that of transport tools dropped by 2.4%, that of vehicle-used fuel and parts climbed 12.1%, that of using vehicles and repairs rose 2.9%, that of transport between cities went up 6.3%, that of transport in urban rose by 5.3%, that of communication devices went down 17.5%.

The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles and service dropped 1.3% over last October. Specifically speaking, that of tuition, miscellaneous fees and sending child to kindergartens went down 1.7%, that of recreational activities rose 2.5%, that of travel and going out went up 4.0%, and that of recreational durable consumer goods dropped 0.5%.

The price of housing went up 4.6%, especially, that of water, electricity and fuels went up 4.5%, that of building and upholstering materials rose 4.7%, that of renting houses was up 3.8%.

Added up from January to October of this year, the consumer price ascended 1.3% over the same period of last year.

(China Development Gateway November 13, 2006)