Crude steel output in
China, the
world's largest steel producer, surged 18.48 percent year-on-year
to reach 418.78 million tons last year, according to the nation's
top economic planning agency.
The National Development and Reform Commission said in a report
that production of pig iron in China jumped 19.78 percent on the
year-on-year basis to 404.17 million tons, while the output of
steel products was up 24.45 percent to 466.85 million tons.
The commission said that in spite of macroeconomic policies, the
nation's steel sector in China still expanded fast due to huge
market demand boosted by the booming economy.
It noted that a large number of illegal and backward steel firms
have been established across the country since 2003 to cash in on
the huge business opportunities.
The government will focus on restructuring and closing the
small, heavy-polluting steel companies and reducing energy
consumption in the steel industry in the coming four years through
2010, according to the commission.
(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2007)
