China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, rose 0.2 percent year on year in 2024, said a Chinese official in Beijing on Friday.
Kang Yi, head of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), released the data at a press conference on the performance of the country's economy in 2024, held by the State Council Information Office.
"In 2024, the CPI rose by 0.2 percent over the previous year. Grouped by commodity categories, prices for food, tobacco and alcohol dipped by 0.1 percent; clothing were up by 1.4 percent; housing up by 0.1 percent; articles and services for daily use up by 0.5 percent; transportation and communication down by 1.9 percent; education, culture and recreation up by 1.5 percent; medical services and health care up by 1.3 percent; and other articles and services up by 3.8 percent," said Kang.
In further breakdown, prices for fresh fruits and grain went down by 3.5 percent and 0.1 percent, while prices of fresh vegetables and pork rose 5 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively.
Core CPI excluding the prices of food and energy edged up by 0.5 percent. In December, the CPI went up by 0.1 percent year on year, on par with last month.
In contrast, prices for industrial products saw a moderate decline.
"In 2024, the producer prices and purchasing prices for industrial products both edged down by 2.2 percent year on year. In December, the producer prices and purchasing prices for industrial products both declined by 2.3 percent year on year, or down by 0.1 percent month on month," said the official.
China's Consumer Price Index up 0.2 pct in 2024
China's Consumer Price Index up 0.2 pct in 2024
The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the Ninth Special Olympic Games will conclude on Monday, with a full-dress rehearsal for the closing ceremony held Saturday night at Shenzhen Sports Center.
Lasting approximately 45 minutes, the rehearsal seamlessly integrated artistic performances with core ceremonial elements, including the entrance of sports delegations, flag reception, flag raising, and the singing of national anthem.
The ceremony aims to highlight themes of inclusion and unity, underlining the spirit of perseverance, solidarity, and determination. Messages of harmony between disabled and non-disabled individuals, shared values across the Greater Bay Area, and collective progress were central to the evening's presentation.
A total of 600 performers are participating in the closing ceremony, including about 130 persons with disabilities. Organizers worked to ensure a supportive environment by pairing each visually impaired performer with a non-disabled guide to assist during rehearsals and performances.
Behind the scenes, thoughtful design turns inclusiveness into action. Though visitors will see a simple, elegant stage, hidden modifications make it fully accessible. Traditional stairs have been replaced with ramps on both sides of the stage to accommodate wheelchair users and all performers, and anti-slip carpets have been laid throughout to ensure safety, especially for performers with mobility challenges.
Technical teams are also fine-tuning every detail, including stage visuals and lighting effects.
A total of 7,824 athletes from 34 delegations registered for this year's Games, held for the first time jointly across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in the Greater Bay Area. The competition includes 1,876 events in 46 sports, with six winter sports already concluded. Highlights also include 131 events in 11 mass-participation sports and 599 events in nine Special Olympics sports.
Under the slogan "Passionate National Games, Vibrant Greater Bay Area," the Games are also being used to promote innovation in assistive technologies. A range of advanced products will be put into use during competition, helping move technologies from laboratories into real-world testing and market application.
Full-dress rehearsal for National Para Games' closing ceremony held in Shenzhen
