Data from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) shows that in mid-February, social inventory of five major steel products in 21 cities reached 9.53 million tons, an increase of 1.72 million tons, or 22.0%, month-on-month, indicating a rapid increase in inventory. Compared to the beginning of the year, inventory increased by 2.32 million tons, or 32.2%, while compared to the same period last year, it decreased by 1.2 million tons, or 11.2%.