China Increases Petroleum Prices
China raised gasoline and diesel prices by 320 yuan ($47) per ton, a rise of 4 to 5 percent, from today. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said late Tuesday, that this equals a price hike of 0.24 yuan per liter of gasoline and 0.27 yuan per liter of diesel. The increase is the first price rise in five months and pushes domestic prices to record highs. The move is in line with increases in global crude prices.

         
GD's Import and Export Recovering in the First Quarter
Statistics released by Guangdong Customs yesterday indicate that over the past three months Guangdong's import and export trade value exceeded 15.3 billion US Dollars. That is an increase of more than 30 per cent over the same period last year, but still lower than the national 40 per cent rise. Insiders believe that Guangdong's foreign trade in the first quarter has been recovering since last November, reaching the same level as before the international financial crisis. Nevertheless, growth is still lagging behind the national average.

More Affordable Houses to be Built in GD
Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development yesterday held a televised conference, noting the importance of building more affordable houses for low-income families, and curbing housing price increases in some cities. Chen Yingsong, Deputy Director General of Guangdong's Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department said, that over the next three years, Guangdong should meet the target of building enough houses for 70,000 low-income families. He also said that this year Guangdong will curb speculation in housing and the illegal action of keeping properties off the market. That cheats house buyers by claiming many houses have been sold, and thus raising property prices.