The Chinese government yesterday promulgated a revised decree to strike the activities of driving up prices through hoarding or cheating.

The revision was made on the basis of regulations passed in 1999 and amended in February 2006 by the State Council.

The new decree, effective as of yesterday, raises the maximum fine to one million yuan (US$137,000), which almost triples the sum in the old regulations, for those who manipulate market prices and ignore the prices advised by the government under emergencies.

Commercial associations which deliberately spread rumors on price information can be fined at a maximum of 500,000 yuan. Those who severely violate the decree may have their legal certificates revoked.

The State Council and local governments can set profit ratios or price ceilings for key items of goods and services when prices rise too sharp, according to the decree.