Housing prices in June rose by 5.8 percent over the same period last year and 0.7 percent from May in 70 of China's largest and medium-sized cities, according to the figures released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics.

 

The figures show the prices of the newly-built homes in June rose by 6.6 percent from June of last year, 0.5 percentage point higher than prices the month previous.

 

The prices of affordable, luxury and common houses increased by 5.5, 9.7 and 4.8 percent respectively over the same period last year.

 

Among the 70 cities, housing prices in Shenzhen and Beijing rose 14.6 percent and 10.1 percent respectively, while prices in Shanghai dropped 2.6 percent over the same period last year.

 

The figures also show the prices of previously-owned homes rose by 4.9 percent over the same period last year, with a decline of 1.8 percent over May, and prices of non-residential space rose 5.3 percent over the same period last year.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2006)