In April, the general level of consumer price index dropped 1.5 percent year-on-year. Of which, urban and rural area was down by 1.7 and 1.0 percent respectively; the price of foodstuff, non-foodstuff, consumable and services descended 1.3, 1.5, 1.5 and 1.4 percent respectively. The general level of CPI decreased 0.2 percent month-on-month; the price of foodstuff was down by 0.8 percent, of the total, fresh vegetable was dropping by 4.9 percent, while that of fresh egg surged 2.7 percent.

In terms of different categories, the price of foodstuff decreased 1.3 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of meat, poultry and its processed products fell 13.5 percent (of the total, pork was down by 28.6 percent), that of fresh vegetable, grain, aquatic products, fresh fruits, fresh eggs, and spices expanded 10.9, 5.5, 3.4, 0.4, 5.5 and 4.6 percent respectively, while that of oil and fat declined 24.3 percent.

The price of tobacco, liquor and articles jumped 1.6 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of tobacco and liquor rose 0.2 and 3.8 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 0.9 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of durable consumer goods was down by 1.3 percent, while that of household services, maintenance and renovation was surging by 5.6 percent.

The price of medical care and personal articles increased 0.9 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of western medicines increased 1.1 percent; that of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and medicines was up by 2.3 percent; and that of health care services shot up by 1.0 percent.

The price of transportation and communication dropped 2.2 percent. Of which, the price of vehicles reduced 1.9 percent; that of vehicle fuel and spare parts went down 6.6 percent; that of using and maintaining of vehicles surged 1.6 percent; that of inter-city transportation jumped 1.3 percent; that of urban public transport fares ballooned 0.5 percent; and that of telecommunication tools fell 18.7 percent.

The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles declined 1.0 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of tuition and baby-care rose 1.6 percent; that of cultural and recreational fees expanded 1.7 percent; that of tourism fees went down by 4.6 percent, and that of durable consumption and services for recreational uses dipped 10.1 percent.

The price of articles related to residence fell 4.0 percent year-on-year. Of which, price of water, electricity and fuel slipped 2.2 percent, that of construction and decoration materials went up by 0.7 percent, and that of housing rent was climbing by 1.2 percent.

From January to April, the general level of accumulated CPI came down 0.8 percent year-on-year. Of the total, urban and rural areas fell 1.1 and 0.3 percent respectively; that of foodstuff remained in stable, that of tobacco, liquor, and articles jumped 1.9 percent, that of clothing went down by 2.4 percent, that of household appliances and maintenance services increased 1.8 percent, that of health care and personal articles rose 1.2 percent, that of transportation and communication slipped 2.5 percent, that of recreational, educational and cultural articles dropped 0.6 percent, and that of residence descended 3.2 percent.

(National Bureau of Statistics May 11, 2009)