China cut its benchmark retail gasoline and diesel prices by 2 percent and 3.2 percent respectively on Thursday.
It is the first cut since its new pricing mechanism took effect at the beginning of 2009. It's also the second cut in a month after the government lowered prices on December 19, 2008.
After the cut, gasoline prices will fall by 140 yuan (US$20.5) per ton. Diesel prices will be lowered by 160 yuan per ton.
Officials say the cut is triggered by the crude oil price decline in the global markets.