The growth rate was higher than the 1.2-percent rise in April.

A report released by the NBS said the CPI in urban districts in May rose 1.4 percent over a year ago, while that in rural areas reported a 1.2 percent rise.

The price of food edged up 1.9 percent and that of non-food products rose 1.1 percent compared with last year's same period. As food constitutes a major factor in China's consumer goods, the 1.9-percent rise was significant to the CPI rise.

The prices of poultry, meat and eggs dropped considerably, but the price of grain rose 1.7 percent. The price of fresh vegetable grew by 14.6 percent in May, NBS statistics show.

Prices of water, electricity and domestic fuel were up 6.1 percent, and that of building materials and items for decoration increased by 3.6 percent.

Gasoline and car parts were 13.2 percent up, but prices of telecommunication equipment dropped 17.9 percent.

The price of medical treatment and health care was 1.3 percent up, and that of medicine dropped. The price of medical and health care services went up 3.8 percent.

Figures from the NBS show that the CPI in the first five months rose 1.2 percent year-on-year, the same as the figure for the first four months.