Beijingers spent more than 1,000 yuan (US$121) per capita on education last year, accounting for 15 percent of the city's annual per capita expenditure, according to Friday's Beijing Times.

The figures, which came from a survey on the lifestyles of city residents, were disclosed at an education exhibition held during the Beijing International High-tech Exposition.

It showed that the per capita educational consumption for the first time exceeded 1,000 yuan (US$121) to reach 1,203 yuan (US$145.3) last year. Education expenditure was second only to food to rank in the consumption list.

Statistics from the Beijing Statistics Bureau show that Beijing residents put an average 16.8 percent of their household savings into children's educational charges.

The increasing educational consumption represents an improvement in the standard of living and the many options in Beijing's culture and education market, said Shi Long, vice- director of the Beijing Education and Science Research Institute.

Last year's figures showed that one out of three households in Beijing owns a personal computer, which represents an increase of 32.8 percent over the previous year.

(People's Daily May 24, 2002)