China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, edged down 0.1 percent year on year in April, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Saturday.
On a monthly basis, the CPI rose 0.1 percent in April following a 0.4 percent decline in March, according to the NBS.
The month-on month rebound was mainly driven by the rising of food consumption and travel, the NBS said.
On a year-on-year basis, the CPI edged down 0.1 percent, unchanged from the rate of decline recorded in March. The drop was primarily attributed to falling international oil prices.
Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 0.2 percent month on month in April, following a flat reading in March.
Compared with the previous year, core CPI increased by 0.5 percent, indicating a stable pace of growth.
"Since the beginning of this year, overall price levels in China have remained generally stable. In particular, core CPI, which offers a better reflection of macroeconomic conditions, has shown steady improvement, indicating continued progress in the balance between aggregate demand and supply. Meanwhile, service prices showed stronger performance than goods prices, suggesting that service consumption is more resilient and holds significant potential. This trend also highlights the ongoing upgrade in household consumption patterns," said Lyu Yunlong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Market and Price of Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research.
"As more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies take effect, the momentum of consumption and investment is expected to be strengthened further, providing a solid foundation for stable price performance," he added.
China's CPI edges down 0.1 pct in April, core CPI maintains stable growth
Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province saw a soaring number of visitors from abroad on Thursday, the first day of 2026 and also the opening day of China's three-day New Year holiday, as festive celebrations unfolded across the city.
Major border checkpoints in the city recorded peak inbound passenger flows, with large numbers of travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and overseas entering the city to experience its vibrant holiday vibes.
"I'm so happy 'cause this is the first day of 2026, and I'm bringing my friends to visit Shenzhen," said a visitor from Hong Kong.
International tourists also shared their excitement.
"It's a very modern city and it's interesting to see such a New Year Eve in such a city," said an overseas visitor.
The inbound passenger flow at Luohu Port peaked from 8:00 to 20:00 on Thursday, said an officer there, adding the average daily passenger flow during the New Year break is expected to reach about 240,000.
At the West Kowloon Station port, eye-catching red decorations themed around the upcoming 2026 Spring Festival which will mark the beginning of the Year of the Horse added to the festive mood.
As a key transportation hub of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the port also saw heavy two-way passenger traffic. Daily cross-border passenger flow there is expected to average around 100,000 during the holiday.
An Australian tourist said he was looking forward to his trip to south China.
"I am from Melbourne, Australia and I'm coming to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in China. I'm excited to see all the tall buildings, especially all the ones that light up and experience a new culture in China." said a tourist.
Outside the ports, celebrations were in full swing as the city prepared for rising visitor numbers.
A large-scale parade featuring more than 30 themed formations kicked off in the morning along the 1.6-kilometer Festival Avenue in Shenzhen's Futian District.
The event drew huge crowds with inflatable cartoon characters, lively drum performances, and traditional Yingge Dance -- a form of folk dance popular in south China's Guangdong Province that merges opera, dance, and martial arts.
Nearby commercial zones also rolled out special consumption coupons, allowing visitors to enjoy a one-stop experience combining festive celebrations and shopping.
"The atmosphere is really nice. We feel very welcomed here. It's a very, very international vibe", said an international visitor.
China continues to grow in popularity as a destination for overseas travelers. Data from online tourism platforms show that inbound flight bookings to China rose 20 percent year on year on the first day of the holiday, with Shenzhen ranking fifth among the country's most popular inbound travel destinations.
"On the first day of holiday, international flight ticket purchases to Shenzhen has increased by 52.5 percent while the international flight bookings to the city has grown by 33 percent," said Shi Ke, a researcher from big data research institute of Qunar, an online travel service provider.
Shenzhen embraces influx of visitors on first day of 2026
