The consumer price index (CPI) this year may exceed 3 percent, the warning line set by the central bank, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The index is expected to reach 3 percent in the first half of this year, said a People's Daily report, citing an unidentified NDRC price department official.

The central bank's research department previously said the CPI would grow by 3.2 percent this year.