Beijing more expensive than HK for foreigners

HONG KONG: Beijing has for the first time become more expensive than Hong Kong for foreigners as a result of surging inflation on the mainland and appreciation of the yuan, a survey showed yesterday.

Rising costs pushed Beijing up to 31st place from 101st a year ago and Shanghai to 35th place from 106th, according to the survey by London-based ECA International, which advises companies globally on international assignments.

China's consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, was 6.7 percent for the first 10 months, after it fell to 4 percent in October from 7.1 percent in January.