Average housing prices in Shanghai rose 7.9 percent last month from a year earlier, outpacing September's growth rate by two percentage points.

Prices of new residences in the city grew 8.3 percent in October and second-hand home prices rose by 8.9 percent, the National Development and Reform Commission said on its Website today.

The average housing price in the mainland's 70 major cities jumped 9.5 percent last month on a yearly basis, compared with September's 8.9-percent growth rate, the commission said.

Ningbo led the rise with average prices jumping 19.1 percent, followed by Urumqi (18.5 percent), Beijing (17.8 percent), Beihai (17.7 percent) and Shenzhen (16.8 percent).

Prices of second-hand home grew fastest in Shenzhen, where they rose by 21.1 percent, followed by Ningbo (15.6 percent), Urumqi (21.1 percent) and Beijing (11.7 percent)

Last year, credit to developers was tightened, supervision over land use was increased and the enforcement of tax policies was improved to cool down a real estate boom.

However, these moves have not been as effective as the central government would have liked since major cities all reported rapid growth this year.

(Shanghai Daily November 14, 2007)