Fujian's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, grew 1.7 percent year on year in February, ranking 11 among 29 provinces, according to a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The nation’s CPI year-on-year growth in February reached 1.4 percent. The stronger-than-expected reading quickened from the 0.8-percent gain in January, the lowest level in more than five years.

NBS statistician Yu Qiumei attributed the recovery to rising food and travel prices during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holiday. Distortions caused by the timing of the Spring Festival, which fell on January 31 in 2014 but on February 19 this year, also played a part, the NBS said.