In this March, the consumer price level went up 2.7% over last March, of which, that in the urban area rose 2.3%, that in rural area climbed 3.4%. Compared with this February, the consumer price level dropped 0.9%. In the first quarter of this year, the consumer price ascended 2.8% over the same period of last year showing the same year-on-year rise, especially, that in urban area went up 2.5%, that in rural area climbed 3.5%.

    Analyzed by category, in this March, the price of foods went up 5.6% over last March, that of non foods surged up 1.2%, that of consumer goods rose 2.4%, that of services went up 3.6%.

    Among the prices of foods, that of grain rose 1.3%, that of grease declined 3.6%, that of meat, poultry and their products climbed 12.2%, that of fresh eggs went up 10.6%, that of aquatic products was up 11.4%, that of fresh vegetables went up 9.0%.

    The prices of tobacco, liquors and using articles rose 0.6%, of which, that of tobaccos was up 0.9%, that of liquors rose 0.6%.

    The price of clothes went down 2.5%, of which, that of clothes declined 2.7%.

    The price of home equipment and repair services was down 0.7%, especially, the price of durable consumer goods went down 2.1%, that of home services, processing and repairs went up 3.8%.

    The price of medical treatment and health care went down 0.6%, of which, that of western medicines dropped 3.2%, that of traditional Chinese medicine materials and Chinese prepared medicines fell 3.3%, that of medical treatment and health care services rose 3.7%.

    The price of transport and communications went down 1.2%, specifically speaking, that of transport tools dropped 3.6%, that of vehicle-used fuel and parts climbed 10.8%, that of using vehicles and repairs rose 2.2%, that of commute between cities went up 4.1%, that of communication devices went down 16.5%.

    The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles went up 2.8%. Specifically speaking, that of tuition, miscellaneous fees and sending child to kindergartens went up 6.6%, that of recreational activities rose 2.3%, that of travel and going out fell 0.1%, that of recreational durable consumer goods dropped 6.5%.

    The price of housing went up 5.8%, especially, that of water, electricity and fuels went up 10.1%, that of building and upholstering materials rose 2.3%, that of renting houses was up 2.2%.