Means of production prices rise in China

BEIJING -- The majority of the capital goods monitored by China's statistical authorities registered higher prices in mid-September compared to early September, official data showed Sunday.

Of the 50 major goods classified in nine categories, including seamless steel tubes, gasoline, coal, fertilizer, and some chemicals, 34 reported higher prices in this period, while 16 saw price declines, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Specifically, the price of liquefied natural gas increased by 4.5 percent in mid-September compared to early September, while the price of sulfuric acid went up 6.2 percent.

During the same period, hog prices decreased by 1.8 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.