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The consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, rebounded to a four-month high of 2.5 percent in May from a year earlier, quickening from a worryingly low 1.8 percent rise in April, the National Bureau of Statistics said on June 10.

On a month-on-month basis, consumer prices rose 0.1 percent, ending the previous two straight months of decline, but were still lower than the 1 percent month-on-month gain recorded in January, the NBS said.

Export recovery good sign for economy

China's exports continued to recover in May amid improving demand in developed countries, which analysts believe will ease concerns over a slowdown and help stabilize growth.

Exports increased by 7 percent in May from a year earlier, outpacing the 0.9 percent increase in April and 6.6 percent drop in March. However, imports in May declined 1.6 percent year-on-year, compared with 0.8 percent growth in April and an 11.3 percent slump in March, the General Administration of Customs said.

Graduates starting businesses on rise

The percentage of Chinese college graduates choosing to start their own businesses has risen for three consecutive years, a survey shows.

Of the college students who graduated in 2013, 2.3 percent started their own business, higher than the figure for 2012 (2 percent), 2011 (1.6 percent) and 2010 (1.5 percent).

This is according to the 2014 Chinese College Graduates' Employment Annual Report, released by MyCOS, an education consulting and research institute in Beijing.

More super-rich look to move abroad

The passion shown by China's super-rich for settling down abroad and obtaining overseas passports has reached a record high, a report said.

The proportion of Chinese high net worth individuals with personal wealth of at least 6 million yuan ($960,000) who expressed willingness to emigrate has risen to 64 percent from 60 percent a year ago, it said.

Air China links Beijing, Washington

Air China launched its first direct flight linking the capitals of China and the United States on June 10 in a deal that analysts said reflects huge business potential.

The 13-hour route, which flies four times a week, became Air China's sixth direct route to the US.

"We are pleased to link two of the world's greatest capital cities with our new service, providing greater connectivity to promote bilateral trade, commerce and tourism between our two destinations," said Wang Yinxiang, vice-chairman of Air China.

The new route is definitely the right choice for the Chinese national carrier, as Washington is an important destination for Chinese visitors, said Zhou Shijia, a senior researcher at the Center for US-China Relations at Tsinghua University.

China Daily

(China Daily European Weekly 06/13/2014 page2)