China freezes some prices in move to contain inflation

BEIJING, China (AP) -- China's government has ordered some prices frozen and ordered officials to closely monitor others in its most drastic step yet to contain a surge in inflation.

An ordered issued late Wednesday by China's top planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission, stressed the importance of maintaining stability ahead of a key Communist Party meeting next month.

The order said all government-set prices would be frozen, though it did not specify which items that covered. The government regulates prices of gasoline and electricity but allows prices of most food items to be set by the market. A man who answered the phone at the NDRC and refused to give his name said he was unclear what goods were affected.

The measure ordered local authorities to closely watch prices of pork and other food in marketplaces.

Chinese consumer prices rose 6.5 percent in August over the same month last year, the highest monthly inflation rate in 11 years. E-mail to a friend

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