A rumor about a hike in the gasoline price has spread from mobile phone to mobile phone in Beijing, leading to long queues at gas stations.

The rumor came on the heels of international oil prices exceeding 100 US dollars a barrel and fears triggered by the rise in the CPI.

An article in the Qilu Evening Post says the rumor and the demand for gasoline driven by an increasing number of private car owners has prompted the government to take precautionary measures.

To mitigate effects caused by such rumors, the paper suggest that government bodies concerned with transportation should adopt better means, such as text messaging, to communicate with the public and provide them with immediate and authoritative information.

Moreover, oil producers should hold reserves to ensure an adequate supply of gasoline for millions of drivers in case of a spike.

The paper warns that rumors about an increase in the price of gasoline could trigger hikes in other areas and affect overall stability of the society. Therefore, at this moment, the government should try its best to stabilize the gas price.