IIn this May, the national consumer price index was up 4.4% over last May, of which, that in the rural area climbed 3.9%, that in the rural area rose 5.2%. Compared with this April, the consumer price index in this May dropped 0.1%, and it increased 3.3% in the first five months of this year over the same period of last year.

    Analyzed by region, among the 31 provinces(regions and cities) across the country, there were 30 regions the consumer prices of which rose over last May with the rises of between 2.0% and 6.3%. Especially, the regions with the greater rise were the followings: Yunnan(up 6.3%), He¡¯nan(up 6.2%), Anhui(up 5.9%).

    Analyzed by category, the prices of consumer goods went up 5.1% over last May, those for services was up 2.2%, those for foods climbed 11.8%, those for non-foods goods went up 0.6%.

    --The prices of foods and similar goods gained up 11.8% over last May. Specifically speaking, the price of grains went up 32.3%, that of grease was up 24.6%, that of fresh eggs was up 21.7%, that of meat, poultry and their products rose 19.7%, that of aquatic product rose 17.5%, that of fresh vegetables went down 6.0%.

    The price of clothes went down 1.4%, especially, that of clothes descended 1.6%.

    The prices for home appliances and their repairs went down 1.5%, of which, the price for the durable consumer goods went down 3.1%, those for home services, processing and repairs went up 1.4%.

    The prices for medical treatment, health care and individual articles dropped 1.4%, specifically speaking, the price of western medicines declined 5.5%, those of traditional Chinese medicines and Chinese prepared medicines dropped 6.3%, that of medical treatment and health care services was up 5.6%.

    The price of transport and communications went down 1.3%. Specifically speaking, the price of transport tools went down 3.3%, but that of vehicle-used fuel and parts rose 7.8%, that of transport services between cities was up 2.7%, that of communications tools went down 14.9%, that of communications services went down 0.2%.

    The price of recreational, educational, cultural articles and services went up 1.2%, specifically speaking, the prices for tuition, miscellaneous fees of schooling and committing the child to kindergarten gained up 2.5%, that for cultural and recreational activities went up 4.0%, the price for tourism and going out was up 4.4%, and that of cultural and recreational durable consumer goods went down 6.7%.

    The price for housing went up 4.6%, of which, that of water, electricity and fuels climbed 6.6%, that of building and upholstering materials went up 4.6%, and that of renting houses ascended 2.9%.