The Chinese consumer confidence index rose to 97.1 points last December from the 96.9 points recorded in November, ending a successive four-month drop, said the National Bureau of Statistics yesterday. The report attributes growing consumer satisfaction to the government's measures to increase residents' income and protect the rights and interests of individuals.

The increase showed that consumers remain confident about the country's economical development.

The NBS reported that the consumer confidence index for January, June and December of 2001 was rated at 94.9 points, 96.3 points and 96.4 points, respectively.

The report attributes growing consumer satisfaction to the government's measures to increase residents' income and protect the rights and interests of individuals.

In addition, Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games and China's entry into the World Trade Organization last year also increased consumer confidence.

In 2001, consumer consumption remained stable, despite some turmoil in China's stock market and negative effects on the economy from the world economic slowdown.

The strong consumer confidence index last year commanded a high rating of about 97 points.

The hike in last year's consumption index showed that consumer confidence supported the country's consumption growth, which contributed to national economic growth, according to the report.

(China Daily January 10, 2002)