According to the latest statistics, China's crude steel production of November 2002 continued the upward trend set in the past months, with a total production of 15,970,800 tons, representing a 22.84% increase from the same period of last year. The Year-to-date (YTD) figure was set at 163,812,100 tons, up 22.09% from the same period of last year. 

    Of the total production, finished steel products accounted for 16,274,900 tons, up 16.45% from same period last year. YTD figures at 173,541,100 tons also show a 19.58% increase over the same period last year. In the breakdown by items, rail products 128,400 tons, down 3.94% and YTD figures (1,712,300 tons) up 18.83%; wire rods totaled 3,117,200 tons, up 19.05% and YTD figures (32,335,800 tons) up 19.30%; medium & heavy plates totaled 2,018,000 tons, up 19.46% and YTD figures (22,455,200 tons) up 21.44%; sheet products totaled 1,782,500 tons, up 20.71% and YTD figures (20,457,500 tons) up 17.3%; strip products totaled 1,381,200 tons, up 45.62% and YTD figures (12,868,700 tons) up 30.36%; seamless pipes totaled 491,900 tons, up 15.99% and YTD figures (5,519,400 tons) up 19.16%; welded pipes totaled 571,900 tons, up 15.44% and YTD figures (5,880,900 tons) up 9.83%.