An economist from the National Bureau of Statistics said that China's consumer prices rose 4.4 percent from a year earlier in May after climbing 3.8 percent in April. 

He said May consumer prices appear high because the SARS effect last year created a rather low base.

May's price rises are being brought under control and the full-year rate of inflation is expected to hover between 3 and 4 percent.

The official also said that prices should stabilize or fall in the next few months.

(CRI June 11, 2004)