The State Council announced price control guidelines to curb surging prices across the country.

Efforts will be made to ensure market supplies, improve subsidy systems, make price controls more targeted and strengthen market supervision, said a statement released on November 17 after a State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao.

The government will further support agricultural production and put state reserves of grains, edible oils and sugar on the market when necessary in order to guarantee supplies.

They will also continue to reduce prices of power, gas and rail transportation for chemical fertilizer producers, and increase production of oil, especially diesel oil, to guarantee a sufficient supply.

The government will also offer temporary price subsidies for the needy, and increase allowances for needy students and student canteens.