Means of production prices rise in China

BEIJING -- Most of the capital goods monitored by China's statistical authorities registered higher prices in early August compared with late July, official data showed Monday.

Of the 50 major goods classified in nine categories, including seamless steel tubes, gasoline, coal, fertilizer and some chemicals, 31 reported higher prices in the period, 15 saw price declines, while the prices of four remained unchanged, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Specifically, the price of liquefied petroleum gas went up 12.4 percent in early August compared with late July, while the price for liquefied natural gas decreased by 5.1 percent.

During the same period, hog prices rose 14.6 percent, according to the NBS data.

The figures, released every 10 days, are based on a survey of nearly 2,000 wholesalers and distributors in 31 provincial-level regions across the country.