Hong Kong’s inflation:

HONG KONG: Inflation in Hong Kong slowed in May to 1.2 per cent from an increase of 1.3 per cent in April. The smaller rise in consumer prices index was due to tax rate concessions by the government on certain property deals and a smaller rise in the prices of fresh vegetables. The consumer price increase would have stood at 2.3 per cent barring the rate concessions and added the measure would continue to have an impact on inflation until September. — AFP

Taiwan jobless rate:

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s unemployment rate rose to 3.87 per cent in May from 3.83 per cent in April on an increase in first-time job seekers and business cutbacks. The May figure was up from 3.84 per cent a year earlier. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the May unemployment rate was down at 3.95 per cent from 3.96 per cent in the previous month but up from 3.91 per cent a year earlier. — AFP