The Consumer Price Index (CPI) Increased slightly in March

In March, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up by 0.8 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, urban area and rural area was up by 0.8 percent and 0.7 percent respectively; In view of different categories, the price of food, non-food, consumable, and services raised by 0.8 percent, 0.8 percent, 0.6 percent and 1.6 percent respectively.

-- In terms of different categories, the price of food was up by 0.8 percent. Of which, grain was up by 0.9 percent; that of oil or fat and meat, poultry and their products, fresh eggs, and aquatic products was down by 5.7 percent, 7.8 percent, 11.3 percent and 2.4 percent; that of vegetables was up by 10.0 percent.

-- The price of tobacco, liquor and daily articles rose by 0.2 percent. Of which, the tobacco was down by 0.1 percent; that of liquor was up by 0.5 percent.

-- The price of clothing dropped by 0.8 percent. Of which, the price of clothes dropped by 1.3 percent.

-- The price of household equipment and maintenance service rose by 0.6 percent. Of which, consumer durables remained the general level; that of household service and maintenance service rose by 5.7 percent.

-- The price of medical care and personal articles was up by 0.7 percent. Of which, western medicine dropped by 1.5 percent, that of the traditional Chinese medicinal materials and medicine was down by 1.5 percent, while that of medical care service rose by 3.8 percent.

-- The price of transportation and communications dropped by 0.7 percent. Of which, price of vehicles dropped by 1.8 percent, while that of vehicle fuel and spares rose by 10.6 percent, that of using and maintaining of vehicle was up by 2.0 percent, that of urban transportation fee rose by 3.8 percent, and that of communication service dropped by 17.8 percent.

-- The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles dropped by 0.2 percent. Of which, price of learning and baby-care rose by 0.7 percent, that of recreation rose by 2.4 percent, that of tourism and outgoing increased by 1.3 percent, and that of consumer durables for recreation was down by 5.4 percent.

-- The price of articles related to dwelling was up by 4.6 percent. Of which, water, electricity and fuel, construction and decoration materials, and housing rent was respectively up by 7.4 percent, 2.5 percent, and 1.5 percent.

The general level of CPI from January to March was up by 1.2 percent as compared with the same period of previous year.