China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, rose 1 percent year on year in March of this year, official data showed Friday.
The core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, increased 1.1 percent year on year, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Food prices saw a modest increase of 0.3 percent year-on-year, while non-food prices climbed 1.2 percent. Consumer goods prices rose by 1.3 percent, while service prices gained 0.8 percent year on year.
The data revealed that prices in urban areas rose by 1.1 percent, while prices in rural areas increased by 0.9 percent year on year.
In the January to March period in 2026, the national consumer prices averaged a 0.9 percent increase compared to the same period of last year.
On a month-on-month basis, the CPI fell by 0.7 percent in March. Prices in urban areas decreased by 0.7 percent, while rural areas saw a decline of 0.5 percent from February. Food prices dropped 2.7 percent, and non-food prices decreased by 0.2 percent. Additionally, consumer goods prices went down by 0.3 percent, and service prices fell by 1.1 percent.
China's CPI up 1 pct in March
Pakistan has stepped up security and logistical preparations as the delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to arrive in Islamabad later this week for high-stakes peace talks aimed at easing the tensions in the Middle East following a recently announced two-week ceasefire.
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday that a comprehensive plan has been prepared to ensure foolproof security for all visiting foreign delegates.
Authorities in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, have introduced sweeping security measures ahead of the talks, with local holidays declared in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the third-largest city in the Pakistani province of Punjab, to facilitate the arrangements. Police, paramilitary troops, and other security agencies have been deployed under the Blue Book VVIP protocol, with separate routes designated for the movement of foreign delegations.
The Islamabad Police has issued a traffic advisory warning commuters of diversions on the Express Highway. Rescue services and hospitals have been placed on high alert. Serena Hotel, a five-star property in the Red Zone, has been reserved exclusively for the delegations, while several entry points to the capital will remain sealed during their stay.
The peace negotiations are expected to bring together senior officials from both countries as part of diplomatic efforts to reach a longer-term settlement after weeks of the escalating conflict in the Middle East region.
"I think some bridge the existing mistrust which is there, there is the history to that. I think a lot of effort would be required not just by the Pakistani or intermediaries who are involved or the interlocutors who are involved, but the entire globe. And we are hoping everyone in Pakistan, outside, from any walk of life, are hoping that this will result into a good outcome," said Hassan Daud, a senior associate professor at Bahria University.
According to Iran's Students' News Agency, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf will lead the Tehran delegation for talks with the U.S. delegation led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The White House confirmed that the U.S. team will include senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with the first round of negotiations expected on Saturday.
Pakistan prepares for US-Iran peace talks amid heightened security
