China consumer price index rises

China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, rose to 1.6 percent in July, the highest level seen in 2015.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged up 0.3 percent in July, Xinhua quoted the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as saying on Sunday.

For the first seven months, CPI increased 1.3 percent year-on-year.

NBS statistician Yu Qiumei attributed the CPI hike to higher pork prices. Costs for medical care, vegetables, housekeeping, tobacco, education were also on the rise.

The Chinese government aims to keep its consumer inflation at around three percent for 2015.