Consumer Price Index (CPI) Kept Growth in January

In January, consumer price index (CPI) was up by 7.1 percent over the same month last year. Of which, urban area and rural area rose 6.8 and 7.7 percent respectively. The price of foodstuff, non-foodstuff, consumable and services expanded 18.2, 1.5, 8.5 and 2.6 percent respectively. CPI made 1.2 percent growth over that in December 2007.

In terms of different categories, the price of foodstuff increased 18.2 percent. Of the total, the price of grain was up by 5.7 percent, ; that of oil or fat, meat, poultry and their products, pork, fresh eggs, aquatic products, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and flavoring rose by 37.1, 41.2, 58.8, 4.6, 8.7, 13.7, 10.3 and 4.1 percent respectively.

The price of tobacco, liquor and articles jumped by 2.1 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, the price of tobacco and liquor climbed 0.4 and 5.3 percent respectively.

The price of clothing was down by 1.9 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of garment dropped 1.9 percent.

The price of household facilities, articles, and maintenance services rose by 2.1 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of durable consumer goods rose by 0.7 percent, and that of household services and upkeep surging 10.7 percent.

The price of health care and personal articles increased 3.2 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of western medicines increased 0.5 percent; that of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and medicines was up by 11.4 percent; and that of health care services shot up by 0.9 percent.

The price of transportation and communication dropped 1.1 percent. Of which, the price of transportation facility dropped 2.9 percent; that of fuels and spares increased 6.8 percent; that of using and upkeep fare rose by 1.9 percent; that of intercity traffic fare surging 6.0 percent; that of urban traffic fare jumping 0.4 percent; and that of communication facility fell 19.6 percent.

The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles decreased 0.3 percent. Of which, price of tuition and child care increased 0.5 percent; that of teaching materials and reference books dropped 1.3 percent; that of expenditure of culture and recreation increased 2.1 percent; that of tourism and outgoing was up by 5.1 percent; and that of cultural and recreational articles dropped 0.7 percent.

The price of articles related to residence expanded 6.1 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, price of water, electricity and fuels, building and decoration materials, and renting was respectively climbing 5.5, 5.7 and 4.7 percent.