China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, rose mildly by 0.3 percent year on year in the first nine months of the year, the National Bureau of Statistics said Sunday.
The overall three-quarter increase of the index was higher than that of the same period last year, according to official data.
In the period, food prices dropped by 1.2 percent year on year, while nonfood prices went up 0.6 percent year on year.
Zhang Xuewu, director of the Analysis and Forecasting Department of Price Monitoring Center of the National Development and Reform Commission, attributed the CPI growth in the first three quarters mainly to price hikes of energy and services.
"In terms of energy prices, the international crude oil price has gone up and then down this year, with the average price in the first three quarters higher than that in the same period last year. This has led to the growth in domestic gasoline and diesel prices. The prices of catering, tourism and household services have increased to varying degrees as domestic demands pick up, driving the overall growth in services prices. Food prices continued to drop in the first half of the year due to ample supply and smooth links between production and sales. Since the beginning of the third quarter, food prices have gradually reversed the downturn, but the overall trend of the first three quarters is still negative," Zhang said.
In September, China's CPI remained flat month on month and rose by 0.4 percent year on year, which is slightly lower than the growth rate in August.
Experts said that with existing policies continuing to produce effect and new policies being rolled out at a faster pace, China's economic recovery is expected to gain stronger momentum in the last quarter of the year.
China's CPI rises mildly in first three quarters
People from all sectors of society in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) expressed confidence that the newly elected chief executive designate will guide the new SAR government and people in Macao in advancing the One Country, Two Systems principle, paving the way for the SAR to reach new heights in its development.
Sam Hou Fai was elected as the sixth-term chief executive designate of the Macao SAR on Sunday, receiving 394 out of 398 valid votes, pending appointment by the Central People's Government.
Pang Chuan, member of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR and vice president of the Macao University of Science and Technology, noted that the overwhelming support for Sam reflects the high level of trust and support from all sectors of society.
"The result reflects the high level of trust and support from all sectors of society for Mr. Sam. As a higher education worker, I strongly endorse his vision of strengthening Macao's higher education sector, building advanced research platforms and making the SAR a hub for top international talents. We believe under the leadership of the new SAR government, Macao will embrace a brighter future," Pang said.
Wong Kit Cheng, another member of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR and also the vice chairman of General Women's Association of Macao, also extended her heartfelt congratulations to Sam on his election.
"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Sam Hou Fai on his election by such a large margin. We hope that he can lead the new SAR government to promote the diversified development of Macao's economy and usher in a new chapter in the practice of One Country, Two Systems principle," she said.
"During our earlier discussions, Mr. Sam fully acknowledged the voices and concerns of young people. We hope he will provide more development opportunities for the youth of Macao, especially in integrating its development into the overall development of the country," said Anita Tai, secretary general of the Macao Youth Federation.
"We are optimistic that he will lead Macao forward, especially by leveraging the advantages of the One Country, Two Systems framework to integrate the SAR into the country's overall development," said Ng Siu Lai, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and president of the General Union of Neighborhood Associations of Macao.
All sectors of society in Macao look forward to new leadership, development
