Shenzhen-based Hongfujin Refined Chemicals Co Ltd was China's top exporter last year, making US$4.39 billion in sales to overseas markets.

And Sinopec International Co Ltd was China's largest foreign trader in 2002, with total trading volume of US$10.98 billion.

The Ministry of Commerce Tuesday released the list of China's 200 biggest exporters and 500 biggest foreign traders, the 13th since 1990.

The 200 largest Chinese exporters exported US$96.18 billion worth of goods, making up 29.5 per cent of China's total exports in 2002.

And China's 500 top foreign traders recorded a trade volume of US$257.44 billion, accounting for 41.5 per cent of China's total foreign trade in 2002.

Ministry officials said the list indicates Chinese foreign traders have improved their overall scale and strength.

Average exports of the 200 largest exporters rose US$79.18 million from last year, while average trade volume of the 500 biggest foreign traders climbed US$82.51 million to US$431.8 million.

Many electronics and information technology companies were new entrants on the list or moved up the rankings for 2002.

These sectors make up half of the 20 largest Chinese exporters and over one-third of the 200 largest Chinese exporters.

The number of foreign-invested companies on the list also increased.

Among the 45 newcomers to the list of exporters, 29 are foreign-invested companies.

Eighty-seven of the 200 largest exporters, with total exports of US$43.27 billion, are foreign-invested. The proportion of these foreign-invested companies' exports among the 200 largest exporters' total increased to 45 per cent from 37.8 per cent. Their average exports also rose to US$49.74 billion from US$37.01 billion.

Of the 109 new names on the list of the 500 largest foreign traders, 66 are foreign-invested.

Most of the companies on the list are located or headquartered in China's coastal areas. The 200 largest exporters include 159 firms in the east of the country, seven in central and western China, and 34 under the central government.

Among the 500 largest foreign traders, 412 are in the east, 31 in central and western areas, and 57 under the central government.

The rankings are based on Chinese customs statistics for companies that have trading rights.

Both parent companies and their majority holdings are taken into account when computing their imports and exports, said the Ministry of Commerce.

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