Inflation still on the rise

The composite Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 5.99 percent year-on-year last June, the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) revealed yesterday. The increase is attributed to higher rent prices for dwellings and dearer charges for eating out.  Over the last 12 months, ending in June, the average composite CPI increased by 5.95 pct. The price index of ‘housing and fuels’ (+11.42 pct), ‘food and non-alcoholic beverages’ (+6.44 pct) and ‘household goods and furnishings’ (+6.13 pct) registered a significant increase. The composite CPI for June 2014 increased by 0.50 pct month-to-month. The average composite CPI for the second quarter of 2014 increased by 6.17 pct year-on-year. The Consumer Price Index reflects upon the effect of price changes on the general population, thus providing information on the inflation affecting consumers.

Wang Wen is new PLA Macau Garrison commander

Senior Colonel Wang Wen is succeeding Major General Zhu Qingsheng as commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macau Garrison. Zhu Qingsheng was appointed director of the Armaments Department of the PLA Guangzhou Military Area Command, a spokesman of the PLA confirmed recently. Before leaving the MSAR, Major General Zhu Qingsheng expressed his gratitude for the government of Macau and its support. Quoted by the news website Ecns.cn, the commander said he wishes to see a prosperous and stable Macau in the future. The new commander, Senior Colonel Wang Wen, has said he will be working closely with the Political Commissar Ma Biqiang, in leading all officers and men “to continue to abide by the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, strictly complying with the Macau Basic Law and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on garrisoning the MSAR.”