A large number of truckers protested rising fuel and other costs in Shanghai, the Wall Street Journal reported. The exact number of truckers participating was unclear, but onlookers estimate the figure to be at least in the hundred, and perhaps over 1,000. The protests took place at Shanghai CIMC Vehicles Logistics Equipment, a subsidiary of China International Marine Containers. The government controls and heavily subsidizes the price of diesel fuel, the official cost of which has risen 10% this year to US$0.97 per liter. However, the international market price for crude has risen 20% over the same period. The rapid police response to the demonstrations highlight government fears that high inflation – which reached 5.4% in March – could lead to political instability.
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