China's Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.9 percent in February over the same month last year, the National Bureau of statistics (NBS) said Monday.

 

The price of food rose by 1.2 percent, consumer products went up by 0.7 percent. The price of services increased by 1.4 percent.

 

The CPI in the first two months of the year edged up by 1.4 percent over the same period of last year.

 

The prices of fresh vegetables and auto fuel and spare parts registered the biggest increases, rising by 14.6 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively.

 

The price of water, electricity and fuel for houses climbed up by 8. 4 percent.

 

The price of telecommunication equipment slid by 17.8 percent, the biggest drop among all products and services.

 

It was followed by the price of eggs, which declined by 14.1 percent.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2006)