A rebound in China's core consumer price index (CPI) and positive changes in the producer price index (PPI) for March indicate an improving trend in the country's consumer market, said an expert.
According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday, the core CPI, which excludes food and energy, reversed its year-on-year decline in February, rising by 0.5 percent in March.
Service prices also shifted from a year-on-year decline in February to a 0.3-percent increase, while the prices of industrial consumer goods, excluding energy, rose by 0.5 percent compared with last year, accelerating from the previous month.
"In terms of food, prices of pork and fruits rose slightly year on year. Non-food items such as clothing, household products and services, education and entertainment, and healthcare also saw price increases to varying extents. Under the influence of policies aimed at boosting consumption, sales of key products such as automobiles and home appliances have been relatively strong, with the price declines narrowing compared with last year," said He Xiaoying, deputy director of the analysis and prediction division at the price monitoring center of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planner.
Meanwhile, with the rapid development of high-tech industries in China and the implementation of large-scale consumer goods trade-in and equipment renewal policies, the supply-demand structure in some industries has improved, leading to positive price changes.
"In certain key industries, producer prices have risen. For instance, prices for the mining, smelting and calendering of nonferrous metals such as copper and aluminum increased significantly year on year, while prices for the manufacturing of cultural and entertainment goods also rose slightly," said He.
Rebounding core inflation, producer prices in key sectors signal upturn in domestic market: analyst
The five-day May Day holiday in China, which began on Thursday, has brought a diverse range of vibrant activities across the country, enhancing people's holiday experiences and filling the air with a joyful and celebratory atmosphere.
On the first day of the break, the ancient city of Kashgar in southwestern Xinjiang saw a surge in tourism, drawing visitors from across the country who wandered through its historic alleys to experience local customs firsthand.
Within a single day, the number of tourist trips to the ancient city had already surpassed 170,000 trips.
In Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, the Dongguan Street Historic and Cultural Block -- a living testament to the city's century-long evolution -- has become a top attraction, featuring over 100 specialty shops that are especially popular with young tourists.
"It's bustling here. The market on this street is full of trendy elements and vibrant cultural flair. We're having a wonderful time here," said Ning Beichen, a local resident.
In Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, 32 parade formations and eight sets of art installations made their debut in Futian District, captivating tourists with vibrant dance performances that highlighted the unique artistic heritage of Lingnan culture.
In Cangnan County of Wenzhou City, in east China's Zhejiang Province, people have been unwinding by the seaside, taking part in lively activities like beach painting and water fights.
At an industrial park in Da'an, a city in northeast China's Jilin Province, locomotives from various eras have been on display, offering tourists a firsthand look at the rapid evolution of transportation through these historic exhibits.
As one of the most popular attractions in Harbin, capital of neighboring Heilongjiang Province, Central Street -- renowned for its diverse European-style architecture -- has been impressing tourists with a range of cultural activities, including food fairs, art exhibitions, and street performances.
The holiday nights have been just as exciting. In Xiaogan of central China's Hubei Province, a large-scale nighttime water performance has been captivating audiences, as tourists ride boats through various themed scenes to experience the beauty of light and shadow art.
In Suqian in east China's Jiangsu Province, attractions such as dozens of sand sculptures depicting characters and scenes from famous tales like "Ne Zha" and "Sun Wukong," along with drone light shows and fireworks, drew large crowds of tourists, many of whom took photos to capture the memorable experience.
Yangliuqing, an ancient town in north China's Tianjin, is hosting hundreds of performances each day throughout the holiday period, offering tourists an immersive cultural experience.
Meanwhile in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, an outdoor concert is offering audiences a refreshing and delightful experience, with music, open fields, and the starry sky seamlessly coming together.
Rural tourism is also thriving. In Yao'an County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, vast fields of blooming roses are creating a romantic sea of flowers. Tourists are enjoying the floral scenery, joining in rose picking, and sampling a farm-style "flower banquet" featuring fresh blossoms.
In Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, tourists are exploring a rural farming experience area where they can fish in ponds and harvest fresh sugarcane from the fields. The village is also offering a variety of immersive agritourism activities.
China bustles with colorful activities during May Day holiday
