And, since Chinese statistics only tally deaths, they have little idea of how many suicide attempts are unsuccessful.

In addition, Chinese statistics do not include Chinese military personnel.

Oddly enough, official Chinese statistics show that the overall price level has changed little this year.

Some 10 million people filed petitions at the provincial and national level in 2004, the group said, citing Chinese statistics.

But even projections built on official Chinese statistics, which are probably low, indicate that more than 180,000 new cases will be added in 2002 alone.

Last year its industrial output shot up 34.6 percent, according to official Chinese statistics.

Trade between the two almost doubled in the last three years, and according to Chinese statistics, accounted for $7.68 billion last year.

Chinese statistics on the number and distribution of scientific personnel were neither complete nor consistent.

As the variety of figures suggest, Chinese statistics are maddeningly unreliable.

According to Chinese statistics, this has reduced coal production by over 25%.