Briefly

Loan prime rate remains unchanged

China's one-year loan prime rate, a market-based benchmark lending rate, came in at 3.7 percent on Monday, unchanged from the previous month. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 4.45 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center. In May, the over-five-year LPR was cut by 15 basis points to 4.45 percent.

Chongqing's foreign trade continues rise

Southwest China's Chongqing municipality saw its foreign trade exceed 343.8 billion yuan ($51.4 billion) in the first five months, up 12.9 percent year-on-year, the local Customs authorities said. Of the total, exports rose 19.5 percent year-on-year to nearly 226.2 billion yuan, while imports gained 2.1 percent to nearly 117.7 billion yuan. Imports and exports of foreign-invested enterprises and domestic private companies remained vigorous.

Express delivery volume increases

China's courier service providers reported a steady increase in express delivery volume in the first five months, data from the State Post Bureau showed. From January to May, the country's courier companies handled a total of 40.95 billion parcels, up 3.3 percent year-on-year, the bureau said. Their business revenue came in at 400.55 billion yuan ($60 billion) during the period, rising 2 percent from a year ago.

Xinhua - China Daily