China’s consumer price index (CPI), a major gauge of inflation, rose 0.8 percent in January compared to the same month last year, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Feb 10.

A resident purchases fruits at a supermarket in Changchun, capital of northeast China’s Jilin province, Feb 10, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

With an average growth of 0.8 percent in cities and a growth of 0.6 percent in rural areas, China’s inflation increase plunged to its lowest level for more than five years.

A staff member places vegetables at a supermarket in Cangzhou, north China’s Hebei province, Feb 10, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

The rise in the CPI was the weakest since 0.6 percent recorded in November 2009.

A resident purchases oranges at a market in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Feb 2, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

In January, food prices increased 1.1 percent compared to the same month last year — with the price of rice rising 2.9 percent and eggs 8.3 percent.

The prices of pork and mutton fell 5.3 percent and 2.5 percent respectively, while the price of beef rose 1.4 percent — and fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood prices continued to rise slightly compared to the same month last year.

A resident purchases vegetables at a market in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China’s Hebei province, Feb 10, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

The price of clothing saw a slight decline from December, while the price of western and Chinese traditional medicines saw increases both less than 0.5 percent.

Gasoline and diesel prices fell. In January, the price of fuel fell 6.7 percent from December, and fell 18.3 percent compared with the same period last year.