Zhongshan's consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.1 percent year on year in the first 3 quarters of the year, turning positive on a cumulative basis.

Food prices fell 2.4 percent while non-food prices rose 0.7 percent. Consumer goods prices were up 0.3 percent and service prices held flat. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3 percent.

Among the 8 major categories of goods and services, 5 posted gains: other goods and services, up 6.0 percent; household goods and services, up 2.1 percent; transportation and communication, up 1.8 percent; education, culture and recreation, up 1.3 percent; and healthcare, up 0.5 percent. Clothing fell 2.6 percent, and food, tobacco, liquor and dining out were down 1.6 percent. Housing was flat.