In March, consumer price index dropped 1.2 percent year-on-year. Of which, urban and rural area was down by 1.4 and 0.7 percent respectively; the price of foodstuff, non-foodstuff, consumable and services descended 0.7, 1.3, 1.1 and 1.4 percent respectively. The general level of CPI decreased 0.3 percent month-on-month; the price of foodstuff was down by 0.6 percent, of the total, fresh vegetable surged 1.6 percent, while that of fresh egg dropped 0.5 percent.

The price of foodstuff decreased 0.7 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of meat, poultry and its processed products declined 10.3 percent (of the total, pork was down by 23.0 percent), that of fresh vegetable, grain, aquatic products, fresh eggs, and spices expanded 5.9, 5.5, 6.4, 2.2 and 5.1 percent respectively, while that of oil and fat, fresh fruits was down by 23.7 and 1.2 percent respectively.

The price of tobacco, liquor and articles jumped by 1.8 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of tobacco and liquor rose 0.2 and 4.3 percent respectively.

The price of clothing was down by 2.3 percent year-on-year, of which, the price of clothes declined 2.5 percent.

The price of household services, maintenance and renovation rose by 1.5 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of durable consumer goods dropped 0.6 percent, while that of household services, maintenance and renovation surging 6.1 percent.

The price of medical care and personal articles increased 1.0 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of western medicines increased 1.0 percent; that of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and medicines was up by 3.0 percent; and that of health care services shot up by 0.9 percent.

The price of transportation and communication dropped 2.5 percent. Of which, the price of vehicles, vehicles fuel and spares, and communication facilities fell 1.8, 9.0 and 18.8 percent respectively, that of using and maintaining of vehicles, urban transportation, and intercity transportation expanded 1.6, 1.3 and 0.6 percent respectively.

The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles declined 0.7 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of tuition and baby-care, and recreation fees surged 1.6 and 1.9 percent respectively; that of tourism fees and durable consumer goods for recreational use was down by 3.5 and 9.9 percent respectively.

The price of articles related to residence decreased 3.5 percent year-on-year. Of which, price of water, electricity and fuel dropped 1.7 percent, that of construction and decoration materials, and housing rent was respectively climbing 1.6 and 1.3 percent respectively.

From January to March, the general level of CPI decreased 0.6 percent year-on-year. Of the total, urban areas dropped 0.9 percent, while that of rural areas remained the general level; that of foodstuff, tobacco, liquor and articles, household services and maintenance and renovation, and health care and personal articles expanded 0.5, 2.0, 2.1, and 1.3 percent respectively; that of clothing, transportation and communication, recreational, educational and cultural articles, and residence dropped 2.4, 2.7, 0.5 and 2.9 percent respectively.

(National Bureau of Statistics April 21, 2009)