(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-14 10:37

The slower increase rate was in line with forecasts, and more declines were likely, said Zhang Liqun, a macroeconomist at the Development Research Center of the State Council.

The major reason for the decline was an increasing supply of the foods that had been in shortage, and this situation would persist, Zhang said.

Meanwhile, the trailing factor -- the influence of price changes on subsequent indices --- had been decreasing during the past 12 months, said Guo Tianyong, director of the bank research center, the Central University of Finance and Economics.

But some people are still concerned about the economic environment.

Not as fortunate as the white-collar workers, some lower-income workers have been hurt more by higher prices and they expressed complaints.

A women in Beijing who identified herself as Mrs. Zhao said that she only went to the supermarket once a month, as she and her husband had both lost their jobs.

Zhao hoped the government could take more measures to solve the problem.She said she can only afford to buy meat for the children and the aged in her family.

Like other citizens, 67-year-old retiree Shi Ruilong in Shanghai also complains sometimes, but he showed an understanding towards the Chinese government at the same time.

"The government has done a lot to control prices. You see, the increase rate dropped in May," he said.

Life has been tougher than before for Shi and his wife, but he said he still can afford it.

"From the snow disaster to the recent earthquake, China has handled the difficulties. The Olympics is coming, I believe our government will take more actions on the price problem," Shi said.

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