In this March, the consumer price level went up 3.3 percent over last March, of which, that in the urban area rose 3.1 percent, that in rural area climbed 3.6 percent; the price of foods went up 7.7 percent over last March, that of non foods rose 1.1 percent, that of consumer goods went up 3.7 percent, that of services climbed 2.0 percent. Compared with February, the consumer price level went down 0.3 percent.

Referenced with eight categories, the prices of foods rose 7.7 percent over last March. Especially, that of grain went up 6.4 percent, that of grease rose 17.2 percent, that of meat, poultry and their products ascended by 16.5 percent, that of fresh eggs ascended 30.4 percent, that of aquatic products was up by 5.3 percent and that of fresh vegetables went up 2.3 percent, that of fresh fruit and flavoring increased by 6.1 percent and 4.0 percent respectively.

The prices of tobacco, liquors and using articles rose 1.8 percent, of which, that of tobaccos was up 1.0 percent, and that of liquors rose 3.3 percent.

The price of clothes went down 0.2 percent over last March, of which, that of clothes declined 0.1 percent.

The price of home equipment and repair services was up 2.2 percent, especially, the price of durable consumer goods rose 2.4 percent, and that of home services, processing and repairs went up 6.1 percent.

The price of medical treatment and health care went up 1.4 percent, of which, that of western medicines dropped 1.8 percent, that of traditional Chinese medicine materials and Chinese prepared medicines rose 3 percent, that of medical treatment and health care services rose 2.4 percent.

The price of transport and communications went up 0.1 percent, specifically speaking, that of transport tools dropped by 2.0 percent, that of vehicle-used fuel and parts climbed 9.3 percent, that of using vehicles and repairs rose 3.1 percent, that of intercity transportation went up 5.7 percent, that of urban transportation increased 3.2 percent; that of communication devices went down 18.2 percent.

The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles and service went down 1.0 percent. Specifically speaking, that of tuition, miscellaneous fees and sending child to kindergartens went down 0.8 percent, that of reference books was down by 0.7 percent, that of recreational activities rose 2.6 percent, that of travel and going out went up 3.5 percent, that of recreational durable consumer goods dropped by 0.4 percent.

The price of housing went up 4.0 percent, especially, that of water, electricity and fuels went up 2.0 percent, that of building and upholstering materials rose 5.5 percent, that of renting houses was up 4.4 percent.

In the first quarter of this year, the consumer price ascended 2.7 percent over the same period of last year.

(China Development Gateway April 20, 2007)