The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased just 1.4 percent in Taicang in 2015, the lowest growth rate in six years.

The mild CPI inflation level was in line with the national inflation rate and 0.3 percent lower than Jiangsu province as a whole.

Food, clothing and transportation costs accounted for 85 percent of the CPI inflation in 2015.

Prices of farm produce and byproducts have been on the rise for years, but food product prices increased by only 2.9 percent in 2015 and contributed a 0.87 percentage point growth to the CPI inflation.

Clothing prices increased 2.4 percent and contributed a 0.16 percentage point growth to the CPI inflation. The clothing price growth reflected the increase in raw material prices and growing labor costs, which is predicted to have an enduring influence.

Transportation costs rose 1.3 percent in 2015, which is attributable to adjustments in parking costs and taxi operation costs.

Edited by Owen Fishwick