Means of production prices rise

Half of the capital goods monitored by China's statistical authorities registered higher prices in mid-August compared to the beginning of this month, official data showed Thursday.

Of the 50 major goods classified in nine categories, including seamless steel tubes, gasoline, coal, fertilizer and some chemicals, 25 reported higher prices in the period, 23 saw price declines, while the prices of two remained unchanged, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Specifically, the price of sulfuric acid went up 18.1 percent in mid-August compared to the beginning of this month, while the price for liquefied petroleum gas increased by 10.9 percent.

During the same period, hog prices decreased 1.2 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.