China imported 1.15 million tons of copper in the first seven
months of the year, a decline of 24 percent over the same period
last year, according to latest statistics released by the General
Administration of Customs (GAC).
The price of copper on international markets is much higher than
China's domestic price, said Hu Bin, an analyst of the Zhejiang
Yong'an Futures Company, adding that the price gap has dampened the
enthusiasm of importers and speculators.
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Analysts say that despite the decline in imports, China's
domestic copper supply was sufficient due to increased production
and decreased demand.
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The figures also show the total export of aluminum in the first
seven months was down 16.5 percent over the same period last year
to 729,950 tons, with an export volume of 105,252 tons in July.
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The import volume of aluminum in the first seven months was down
1.5 percent to 703,318 tons.
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Imports of iron ore in the first seven months were 186 million
tons, an increase of 21.7 percent over the same period of last
year.?
(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2006)