Considering the holidayeffect of the Chinese New Year in early February and the increase in fuel prices, the inflation number came in above market expectations.
The Lunar New Year break adversely affected the number, but the results for the first two months, when they are aggregated to eliminate the holidayeffect, may not look much better.
However, the upward trend is unlikely to continue as the holidayeffect fades and warmer weather starts to bolster food supplies, said Yu Qiumei, a senior statistician with the bureau, suggesting CPI growth will ease this month.