IN BRIEF (Page 4)

BEIJING

Capital to release some reserve pork

Beijing will release 3.05 million kilograms of meat from its frozen pork reserves in a bid to ease pressure on pork supply and limit price increases. The city's pork prices have been rising since the Lunar New Year due to limited supply. Raw pork prices surged 50.6 percent month-on-month in April, according to the municipal government. The decision, which takes effect on Thursday and will last until July 4, will see 50,000 kg of pork sold cheaply to 121 major supermarkets on a daily basis. The government will also provide subsidies of up to 9 yuan ($1.40) per kilogram of pork sold, to encourage vendors to lower prices.