In February, the general level of CPI dropped by 1.6 percent, year-on-year. Of which, urban and rural area was down by 1.9 and 0.8 percent respectively; the price of foodstuff, non-foodstuff, consumable and services dropped 1.9, 1.2, 1.5 and 1.8 percent respectively. CPI kept general level over this January, month-on-month; the price of foodstuff was up by 0.8 percent, of the total, fresh vegetable surged 4.0 percent, while that of fresh egg declined 0.8 percent.

In terms of different categories, the price of foodstuff decreased 1.9 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of meat, poultry and its processed products was down by 8.8 percent (of the total, pork was down by 18.9 percent), that of fresh vegetable, oil and fat, fresh fruits, and fresh eggs was down by 9.3, 17.2, 5.1 and 2.9 percent, while that of grain, aquatic products, and spices expanded 4.4, 3.3 and 5.4 percent respectively.

The price of tobacco, liquor and articles jumped by 2.0 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, the price of tobacco and liquor rose 0.2 and 4.9 percent respectively.

The price of clothing was down by 2.3 percent year-on-year, of which, the price of clothes declined 2.7 percent.

The price of household services, maintenance and renovation rose by 2.1 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of durable consumer goods rose by 0.2 percent, and that of household services, maintenance and renovation surging 5.7 percent.

The price of medical care and personal articles increased 1.3 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of western medicines, traditional Chinese medicinal materials and medicines, and health care services shot up by 0.9, 3.4 and 0.8 percent respectively.

The price of transportation and communication dropped 3.0 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of vehicles, vehicles fuel and spares, intercity transportation fees, and communication facilities dropped 1.6, 9.2, 0.5 and 18.6 percent respectively, while that of using and maintaining of vehicles, and urban transportation fees expanded 1.7 and 0.2 percent respectively.

The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles declined 1.1 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of tuition and baby-care, and recreation fees was respectively up by 1.7 and 2.2 percent, while that of tourism fees and durable consumer goods for recreational use was down by 7.2 and 9.6 percent respectively.

The price of articles related to residence declined 2.9 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, price of water, electricity and fuel was down by 1.2 percent, while that of construction and decoration materials and housing rent was respectively climbing 3.1 and 1.2 percent respectively.

From January to February, the general level of accumulated CPI decreased 0.3 percent year-on-year. Of the total, urban areas dropped by 0.6 percent, while that of rural areas rose by 0.3 percent; that of foodstuff, tobacco, liquor, and articles, household services and maintenance and renovation, and health care and personal articles was correspondingly up by 1.0, 2.2, 2.4 and 1.5 percent; while that of clothing, transportation and communication, recreational, educational and cultural articles, and residence was down by 2.5, 2.8, 0.4 and 2.6 percent respectively.

(National Bureau of Statistics March 11, 2009)