HONG KONG, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's overall consumer prices picked up faster in May with an inflation rate hitting 5.7 percent in May over the same month last year, the Census and Statistics Department said here Friday.

    The underlying inflation rate in May was 5.7 percent compared to April's 5.4 percent, mainly due to hikes in housing rent, charges for package tours and the cost of meals bought away from home, according to the department.

    Large year-on-year price increases were recorded for food. Porkrocketed 56.8 percent; beef surged 50 percent; canned meat soared 45.7 percent; rice jumped 39.9 percent; edible oils shot up 36 percent; other meat mounted 30.5 percent and fresh-water fish grew23 percent.

    Year-on-year price increases were also recorded for electricity, gas and water; meals bought away from home; housing; miscellaneous goods; transport; clothing and footwear; and, alcohol and tobacco.