What determines China's inflation?

We examine determinants of inflation in China. Analyses of both year-on-year and month-on-month growth data confirm that excess liquidity, output gap, housing prices, and stock prices positively affect inflation. Impulse response analyses indicate that most effects occur during the initial five months and disappear after ten months. Effects of real interest rates and exchange rates on inflation are relatively weak. Our results suggest that the output gap is as important as excess liquidity in explaining the inflation trajectory. The central bank should closely monitor asset prices given their spillovers to inflation. Currently liquidity measures are still central for controlling inflation, but further liberalization of interest rates and exchange rates are crucial.