Consumer Price Index Increased 3.9 Percent in February

In February, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up by 3.9% over the same period of the previous year, wherein that in urban area was up by 3.6%, while that in rural area was up by 4.5%. As compared with the last month, the CPI was up by 1.8%.

In term of different regions, the consumer price in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions rose by 0.9%--5.7% over the same month of the previous year.

In term of different categories, the foodstuff price was up by 8.8% over the same month of the previous year, the non-foodstuff price was up by 1.4%; the consumable price and service price was up by 3.9% and 4.2% respectively.

--The price of food was up by 11.6% over the same period of the previous year, the grease was down by 1.4%, the products of meat and birds, fresh eggs, aquatic products and vegetables went up by 14.9%, 16.3%, 15.9% and 13.1% respectively.

--The price of tobacco, alcohol and daily articles rose by 0.6%. Wherein that tobacco and alcohol respectively increased 0.9% and 0.4%.

--The price of clothing dropped by 1.9%. Wherein that price of clothes dropped by 1.9%.

--The price of household equipment and maintenance service dropped by 0.8%. Of which, consumer durables dropped by 2.4%, domestic service and processing and maintenance service rose by 4.3%.

--The price of medical care and personal articles was down by 0.7%. Wherein that western medicine dropped by 3.4%, the traditional Chinese medicinal materials and medicine was down by 3.5%, while that of medical care service rose by 3.9%.

--The price of traffic and telecommunication dropped by 0.6%. Wherein that price of vehicles dropped by 3.6%, while that of vehicle fuel and spares rose by 9.6%, that of using and maintaining of vehicle was up by 2.2%, that of urban transportation fee rose by 8.7%, and that of communication service dropped by 16.7%.

--The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles rose by 3.3%. Wherein that price of learning and baby-care rose by 6.4%, that of recreation rose by 3.2%, that oftourism and outgoing rose by 6.9%, and the consumer durables for recreation was down by 6.7%

--The price of articles related to dwelling was up by 5.6%. Wherein that water, electricity and fuel, construction and fitment materials and housing rent was respectively up by 10.5%, 2.0%, and 2.2%.

Due to the complication of Chinese Spring Festival (it was in January of last year and February of this year), the differences of CPI between these two months would not be compared. From the accumulative from January to February, CPI was up by 2.9% as that compared with the same period of last year.