The Statistical Communique on the 2001 National Economic and Social Development published by the NBS Thursday says last year share issues raised 116.8 billion yuan, 93.5 billion yuan less than in 2000.

Last year 84 companies issued A shares, including new issues, and another 126 issued A share rights at the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, with capital paid-in topping 109.8 billion yuan. The issue of 9 B shares and H shares helped draw 7 billion yuan in overseas capital.

The total number of listed companies with A or B shares in China increased from 1,088 in 2000 to 1,160 last year.

The communique also shows that the supply of broad money topped 15.83 trillion yuan, 14.4 percent above the previous year while narrow money totaled 5.99 trillion, a rise of 12.7 percent. Money in circulation amounted to 1.57 trillion yuan, up 7.1 percent.

Savings deposits also increased steadily in 2001 bringing in 14.36 trillion yuan, up 16 percent on 2000. Businesses contributed 5.15 trillion yuan, a rise of 16.9 percent while 7.38 trillion yuan came from urban and rural residents, up 14.7 percent.

According to the NBS communiqué, consumption loans soared by 275.5 billion yuan to 699 billion last year, of which individual housing loans accounted for over 80 percent.

Insurance premiums of both domestic and foreign-funded companies climbed to 210.9 billion yuan, a sharp rise of 32.2 percent. And about 61 percent of the total premiums came from life insurance.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2002)