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Shougang face a sharp decline in net profit in 2006（2007/04/25）
Impacted by the fact that Chinese Government adds an export tax to billet, Shougang’s net profit in 2006 decreased by nearly 40%, to 486 million Yuan, according to the annual report released on 12th April.
According to the source in Shougang, due to the export tax for billet, the export volume decreased sharply, and the sale competition in the domestic market became fiercer. What’s more, the medium and small mills arranged the production unreasonably, the capacity continuously increased, led to a larger decline in price for billet than steel. The prices for strategic steel products and billet of Shougang declined by 2.5% and 7.1% respectively in 2006 from those in 2005.

Ben’an Group laid foundation for its Anling’s 2 million tons steel project（2007/04/24）
Benan Group laid foundation for its Chaoyang Anling’s 2 million tons steel project on April 18, which was approved by the central government on October 17, 2005. The project, a joint venture between Angang Group and Linggang Group, is scheduled to come on stream in 2009 and would add sales revenue of 5.8 billion yuan with profit of 2.22 billion yuan.

Tanggang’s self developed Q420B high strength angle accounts most part of the supply in a key project（2007/04/24）
On the tender for angle by State Grid, Tanggang became the largest winner, with a deal of 8,000 tons of self developed Q420B high strength angles, accounting 80% of the whole supply volume.
1,000 KV high voltage electricity transmission and transformation project, which is of ultra high voltage grade, is one of the key projects during the “11th five-year”. The project adopts Q420B angles instead of Q420A materials for the first time, marking a hike in the design and construction of the tower for electricity transmission, which can lower the average steel consumed by 22%, the weight of the tower down by 9% and decrease the costs in manufacturing, transportation and installation and so on.
As the largest production base of angle for electricity transmission towers, Tanggang has been accounting more than 20% shares in domestic market of angle for electricity transmission and transformation and telecom use. Setting Research on anti-impulsion capability of angles for electricity transmission tower as the key target for 2007, through redesigning the components of Q420B angle, improving melting process and rolling temperature control, and introducing mold wire feeding technology and so on, Tanggang managed to produce Q420B high strength angle in Feb, with the qualified melting ratio up to 95.3%, and the qualified products ratio to 96.4%, and the performance all meet the standards and users’ requirements.

Xinyu Color’s galvanizing plate line to launch operation in 2007（2007/04/24）
　　The first 300,000 tons per year aluminum plating and galvanizing plate production line funded by a private company (Tianjin Xin Color Ltd) in China, is scheduled to be completed and launch operation in 2007. With an investment of 300 million Yuan in total, the project will introduce advanced technologies, to ensure the products without plumbum, chromium and other harmful element, and secure a high ratio between strength and weight, and lift the corrosion resistance by 5 times from the common tin plate.
　　When launch operation, the line will meet the demand from domestic market in the north, and export products to Asia, Europe and Africa, adding production value 4.0 billion Yuan per year, and revenue 70 million Yuan per year.
Tianjin Xin Color Ltd is a private company specializing in galvanized and color coated plate production. Basing on technology improvements, the company has expanded production process into a chain of rolling-plating-coating. In 2006, the production value of the company topped 1.0 billion Yuan.
　

Qingdao Posco plans to increase the ratio of 400 series stainless steel production(2007/04/23)
Due to that the price for nickel remains high, major steel-makers plan to increase the ratio of 400 series stainless steel production. Taigang has announced to increase the ratio of 400 series stainless steel in the whole production in 2007 to 50%.
Qingdao Posco Stainless Steel Company Ltd produced 4. 95 million tons of 400 series stainless steel in 2006, accounting 31% of the whole, and plans to increase the ratio to 55%, up 24% from that of 2005, and the ratio of 300 series to be 35% in 2007.

Pangang’s No.1 continuous annealing line came on stream(2007/04/23)
Pangang succeeded in technical reform of continuous annealing line based on No.1 galvanized machine in its cold rolled mill on April 6 and produced first ordinary coil.
Founded in 1997 and adopted improved Sendzimir process, the No.1 machine had a design capacity of 150,000 tons per year with actual capacity over 200,000 tons. The line suspended on August 1, 2006 and started technical reform by CISDI, MCC19 and cold rolled mill.
It was understood the continuous annealing line combined washing, annealing, leveling and finishing processes, capable of making galvanized and ordinary cold rolled products with design capacity of 120,000 tons per year. Its main products include CQ, DQ grades and tempered sheet.

Shougang began the construction of the largest iron melting blast furnace in China(2007/04/20)
The construction of the largest blast furnace for iron melting began recently in the new site of Shougang in Caofeidian Industry Zone in Tangshan, Hebei Province. According to Wang Tianyi, general manager of Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel Joint Venture Company Ltd, this 5,500 cube meters blast furnace is the main project of Shougang’s iron melting project, and is the largest blast furnace in China, and also one the largest in the world.
When Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel got under construction on 12th March, the construction of the affiliated projects began successively. No. 1 blast furnace, which got under construction recently, is scheduled to be completed in 18 months, and then No. 2 blast furnace, the second one of the two same furnaces, will be constructed.

Baotousteel invested 2.6 billion yuan on recycling economy during 2000-07(2007/04/20)
Baotousteel invested 2.6 billion yuan on construction of energy saving and resource utilization projects during 2000 to April 2007. The company will obtain 700 million yuan per year with full operations of the projects mentioned above. In March 2007, it generated power of 116 million kilowatt-hour by using surplus pressure, heat and gas. Recycling utilization ratio of industrial water reached 93.25%.
In 2006, Baotousteel established lines to produce various floor brick and quadrel by using waste slag, recycled all of washing slag, replaced coal based boilers with coal based gas boilers in order to make good use of surplus gas and added generators using surplus pressure on five blast furnaces.
The company also built No.5 and 6 dry coking quenching projects, applied dry dust removing process in large blast furnaces above 2,000 cubic meters for the first time in the country as well as upgraded dry dust removing method on converters in sheet mill.

Shaogang Songshan achieved net profit of 416 million yuan in 2006（2007/04/18）
According to an annual report at Shaogang Songshan, the company achieved headline revenue of 12.4 billion yuan in 2006, up by 16.86% from the previous year; net profit of 416 million yuan, up 205.93% and proceeds per share of 0.3 yuan, up 205.81%.
In 2006, it produced steel of 4.26 million tons, up 20.65%; pig iron of 4.18 million tons, up 29.31%; finished steel of 4.07 million tons, up 19.86%; sold steel products of 4.22 million tons, up 28.27% and its unit sales cost for steel lowered by 311 yuan per ton despite unit sales price declined by 223 yuan per ton.
It’s anticipated that prices of raw materials and fuel will maintain a high level in 2007, which perhaps affects its operation results. Shaogang intents to produce steel of 4.6 million tons in 2007; pig iron of 4.3 million tons, finished steel of 4.35 million tons and obtain headline revenue of 12.67 billion yuan.
In addition, the company plans to dispatch cash dividend of 0.5 yuan (duty paid) per ten shares to the whole shareholders in 2006.

Xingang realized favorable production during Q1（2007/04/17）
Xingang produced pig iron of 1.1453 million tons during the first quarter of 2007, up by 7.59% from the corresponding period of last year; steel of 1.3707 million tons, up 13.3%; finished steel of 1.2699 million tons, up 20.36%; brand steel of 719,200 tons, up 59.59% and exported steel of 188,400 tons, 8,400 tons higher than annual target.

Xuangang made new records on production and performance in the first quarter（2007/04/17）
Centering on fast and good development and focusing on boosting the profits by improving the product mix and quality, Xuangang Company of Tanggang Group maintains a high speed growth.
From Jan to March of 2007, the company produced pig iron 1.136 million tons, converter steel 1.364 million tons, and commercial steel products 1.216 million tons, increasing 5.09%, 34.44% and 27.92% from those of the same period in 2006. Meanwhile, the company realized sales income 3.686 billion Yuan, up 45.23% from the corresponding period in 2006, with several economic indexes making new records.


Anben Iron and Steel Group to set a model for industrial structure adjustment in China(2007/04/16)
On 6th April, Liu Zhennan, vice director of the State Council’s Bureau for reviving the industry base in Northeastern China, came to An’gang to survey and study the situation of reviving the industry base in Northeastern China and the equipment manufacturing industry. Liu appointed that Anben Group should carry out the government’s related policies, boost the industry structure adjustment through system innovation and form a pattern of structure altering, therefore set a model and contribute to the industry base reviving in Northeastern China.

Angang obtained net profit of 6.8 billion yuan in 2006(2007/04/16)
According to an annual report from Angang, the company achieved headline revenue of 54.596 billion yuan in 2006, up 106.12% from the previous year; net profit of 6.845 billion yuan, up 229.24%; proceeds per share of 1.154 yuan and yield of net assets of 22.94%.
Angang produced special steel of 11.07 million tons, up 4.78 million tons in 2006. Varieties increased to 128 from the previous 10 and maximum thickness rose to 100mm from 40mm. Direct sales to customers reached 6.12 million tons, accounted for 57.15% of the total domestic shipment; exports stood at 3.35 million tons, accounted for 23.82% of merchant steel as a whole.
The total investment in the steel project in Yingkou Baiyuquan port was about 22.6 billion yuan. As of the end of 2006, the company has already invested 5.1 billion yuan with another 12 billion yuan to be carried in 2007 and 5.5 billion yuan in 2008.

SINOPEC’s output of pipe hit 60,000 tons in Q1(2007/04/13)
Since the beginning of 2007, Shashi Pipe plant of Hanjing Petroleum Authority under China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation produced qualified steel pipe of 63,053 tons, hitting the highest level in the history, in a bid to meet demand from two key construction projects – transportation of gas from Sichuan to Eastern area and pipeline project in Caofeidian - during the 11th Five-Year Plan period. The Group undertook the most part of pipe production in these two projects from last September and delivery went on smoothly.

Guofen Iron and Steel’s 1,450 continuous casting and rolling project got under construction in Erzhong(2007/04/13)
The 1,450 mm continuous casting and rolling project, part of Tangshan Guofeng Iron and Steel Company Ltd’s 3.00 million tons technology upgrading project, is getting under construction in Erzhong (China National Erzhong Group Co., former The Second Heavy Machinery Plant). This is the second time for their cooperation after the construction of a same 1,450 mm continuous casting and rolling line in early 2007.
Guofeng Iron and Steel plans to have the first batch of products of the 1,450 mm continuous casting and rolling line by the end of March 2008 to early April 2008, the second line will mainly produce high grade and high quality steel, with a design capacity of 3.00 million tons per year to 3.50 million tons per year. When launch full scale production, Guofeng Iron and Steel will achieve the production target of 8.00 million tons per year, making a hike in crude steel capacity.

Bengang became key enterprise of auto panel（2007/04/12）
With high level auto panel of Bengang brand entering Zhonghua series car’s general assembly line on March 31, Bengang Group became one of few key and large-scale enterprises capable of producing high-level auto panel on commercial basis in the country.
Facing the tough market condition, the group decided to build a 10 million tons fine sheet base with international competition from 2003. The group has gradually brought facilities in line with advanced level across the country and abroad by introducing technology and re-innovating, laying a foundation to make auto panel.
Experiencing three years’ effort, Bengang signed agreement in 2006 to supply auto panel to Zhonghua Auto as its material completely met demand in terms of both appearance and mechanical performance following a series of strict attestation and certificate.

Angang Steel Records 229% Growth in Net Profits（2007/04/12）
Angang Steel Co., Ltd., based in Anshan, northeast China's Liaoning Province, reported net profits up 229.24 percent to 6.85 billion yuan (US$889 million) in 2006 in its annual report released on Wednesday.
Its earnings per share stood at 1.15 yuan, with earnings against net assets at 22.94 percent.
Takings on major businesses of the steel maker amounted to 54.6 billion yuan (US$7.1 billion) last year, up 106.12 percent.
The Shenzhen and Hong Kong-listed company produced 11.07 million tons of special rolled steel in 2006, an annual increase of 4.78 million tons.
It exported 23.82 percent of its total output, according to the report.

Angang formed alliance with Bohai Shipyard（2007/04/06）
According to China Securities Journal, Angang recently signed agreement with Bohai Shipyard and others to purchase 600,000 tons of shipbuilding steel per year at price based on annual negotiation.
Sales manager at Jinnan Iron and Steel released that the company has already invested 30 million yuan to establish Weihai Jigang Shipbuilding Steel with Weihai Shipyard and others. The 80 million yuan project will produce and distribute 500,000 tons of shipbuilding steel, which will not only offer stable sell goods for Jigang but also ensure the steel quality for the shipyard. Besides, Jigang plans to build three distribution centers in Yantai area in cooperation with several shipyards this year.

Baosteel’s result in 2006 renewed record high(2007/04/05)
According to an annual report released on March 31 by Baosteel, its sales volume, revenue and profit all renewed record highs in 2006. The company achieved net profit of 13.01 billion yuan; disbursed dividend of 6.129 billion yuan in cash; sold merchant billet of 21.405 million tons, up 14% from the previous year; obtained headline revenue of 157.79 billion yuan, up 24.6%; net profit of 13.01 billion yuan, up 2.7%; proceeds of 0.74 yuan per share and net assets yield of 16.84%.
According to the report, the gross margin of carbon hot rolled sheet/coil, one of the company’s main products stood at 28.03%, down 9.83%; the revenue from stainless hot rolled sheet/coil reached 9.989 billion yuan, up 114.74% with gross margin of 11.06%, up 17.67%; that from stainless cold rolled sheet/coil was 8.873 billion yuan, up 119.01% with gross margin of 13.53%, up 29.45%.　　
Baosteel said it could steadily enlarge market share year on year by further carving out high value added market and strengthening relations with domestic long-term customers. In 2006, the ratio of direct sales and sales to strategic customers stood at 75% of the total sales with consistent sales of 10-15% in the overseas market each year. Shipment of merchant billet to the household market accounted for 86.1% with revenue of 99.189 billion yuan and that to overseas market for 13.9% with 15.716 billion yuan. 　　
The company put forward to realize a scale production of 50 million tons in its new plan. In November 2006, Baosteel won the tender of Caofeidian’s 300t RH refining facility at Shougang relocation project by beating international powerful rivals.
In 2007 it plans to produce pig iron of 20.75 million tons, steel of 23.27 million tons, merchant billet of 22.19 million tons and achieved consolidated revenue of 159 billion yuan and consolidated sales cost of 132 billion yuan.

Ben’gang achieved good results for both production and profit in the first two months(2007/04/05)
During the first two months of 2007, Ben’gang realized industrial added value 1.55 billion Yuan, increasing 14.48% from that of the same period in 2006. And the industrial added value in Feb increased 15.1% from that of the corresponding period in 2006, to 750 million Yuan. Meanwhile, all the iron, steel and finished steel output of the company in the first two months reached new levels. From Jan to Feb, Ben’gang produced 1,269,000 tons of pig iron, increasing 9.67% from that of the same period in 2006, including 611,158 tons produced in Feb, up 21.69% with the same comparison; 1,289,900 tons of steel, up 9.73%, including 589,100 tons in Feb, up 22.8%; hot rolled plate and sheet 1,138,200 tons, up 7.39%, including 546,400 tons in Feb, up 12.37%; cold rolled plate and sheet 399,000 tons, up 101.38%, including 233,400 tons in Feb, up 109.5%.

Chongqing Construction and Engineering signed strategic agreement with Chonggang(2007/04/04)
Chongqing Construction and Engineering Group signed a frame strategic cooperation agreement with Chonggang Group to carve out opportunity for the development of the both groups.
According to the agreement, the companies will cooperate with each other in the fields of logistics, developing and marketing new materials, deep processing and strategic investment on the basis of projects undertaking and materials supply, help to achieve targets and push for joint development of the both companies.

Baosteel Company Ltd was awarded “the most valuable supplier” by Panasonic Compressor Singapore(2007/04/04)
　 Recently, Baosteel Company Ltd was awarded “the most valuable supplier” by Panasonic Compressor Singapore Company Ltd, for its comprehensive support.
　 Panasonic Compressor Singapore, a subsidiary of Panasonic, is specializing in refrigerator compressor manufacturing, and the main steel purchased is pickled sheet. Baosteel has founded a cooperation relation with Panasonic Singapore since 2003, and Baosteel treats the company as a key strategic user. Since 2004, Panasonic Singapore purchased more than 10,000 tons of pickled sheets from Baosteel and formed a long cooperation relation with Baosteel; while Baosteel wins the company’s trust by the stable quality, strict delivery and considerable service, especially for that Baosteel arranges production according to +αmode, meeting Panasonic Singapore’s demand and therefore is spoken highly by the users. With the effort of the sale company of Baosteel and Baosteel Singapore Company, now the pickled sheets from Baosteel accounts more than 20% in Panasonic Singapore’s total purchase.
Awarding the most valuable supplier means that the cooperation relationship between Baosteel and Panasonic Singapore is being continuously strengthened, and Baosteel makes progress on oversea markets developing and operating.

Han’gang held a ceremony for the Sintering Project in new site laying foundation（2007/04/03）
On 26th March, Han’gang held a ceremony for the Sintering Project in new site laying foundation. The two 360 square meters sintering furnaces project is an important part of Han’gang’s new site construction, which involves an investment of more than 700 million Yuan in total.

Baosteel self-developed rare types of steel（2007/04/02）
It was learned recently that Baosteel has completed development of a number of new products, a few of which were rare types with first class technology in the world.
At the start of this year, Baosteel self-developed special steel for cell shell as substitute of imported materials and applied for one patent and two technologies know-how. At the moment, the company is establishing capacity of batch production of steel for cell shell that applies to rechargeable cell and one-off basic cell. Environment friendly color coating sheet for home appliance is a new type environmental protection product developed by Baosteel, which has obtained certificate from Shanghai New-High Technology Service Center.
Also the company has trial produced X120 pipeline steel with the world’s highest strength and became the fourth producer of this product next to Nippon Steel, Sumitomo and Europe Pipe.

Baosteel opened a center office in Dubai of UAE for Middle East area（2007/04/02）
According to a report from a newspaper of UAE, on the opening ceremony for Shanghai Baoshan Iron and Steel Group Company Ltd’s center office for Middle East, which is located in JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) in Dubai, Ms. Salma Hareb, JAFZA chief executive office, said Dubai and China has developed a comprehensive cooperation in the last ten years. China now has been the largest trading partner of UAE and JAFZA. “It’s an honor to have Baosteel’s center office opened in JAFZA, the fastest growing free zone in the world with a policy of mutual benefit and both win.” She said.
In 2006, the turnover of Chinese goods in JAFZA valued 18.0 billion dirhams, equaling to 4.9 billion US dollars.

Chongqing Sigang varied the specifications and types of color coated sheets（2007/03/30）
　 To expand the product mix of color coated sheets, increase the sale volume, and lift the competing ability, Chongqing Sigang varied the specifications and types of this product according to the market demands.
Since 2006, the company has arranged the color coated sheet production according to the market demand and consumers’ requirement, and developed products with a thickness ranging from 0.26 mm to 0.8 mm and a width of 1.2 meters. And the colors expanded from ocean blue and white gray to ocean blue and white gray as the main colors, together crimson, shamrock, milk white, dark bean green and so on. With expansion of colors and specifications, the production and sales volume of color coated sheets from Chongqing Sigang increase sharply, boosting the color coating line’s reaching full scale production and lifting the profits.

Shagang cooperated with France Liquefied Air Group（2007/03/30）
France Liquefied Air Group, one of the world’s largest industrial gas supplier signed a 23-year term contract with Shagang for an amount of 15 billion yuan on March 12, marking a new stage of the mill in international cooperation.
Founded in 1902, France Liquefied Air is a major supplier of air for industrial, medical and other sectors. Shagang is China’s largest non-governmental steel producer with output of pig iron, steel and finished steel all above 10 million tons. With the operation of a 5-meter wide plate mill, the company will increase the demand for gas.
This time the Air Group will invest $120 million to build two 60,000 m3/h oxygen stations in Zhangjiagang for Shagang and provide over 2.9 billion cubic meters of oxygen, nitrogen and argon per year with annual sales up to some 750 million yuan.

Shougang to axe 21% of workers by 2010（2007/03/30）
Shougang Corp, China's ninth-biggest steel mill, plans to cut its workforce by 21 percent by the end of this decade as it moves production out of Beijing.
The group, owned by the Beijing municipal government, will reduce the number of its employees to 65,000 by 2010 from 82,500 last year, Shougang Chairman Zhu Jimin told China Daily.
In the meantime, the firm's workforce in the city its current home base will be axed to 30,000 from more than 50,000, Zhu said.
However, Shougang aims to double its workers' salaries by 2010 from 2005, he said.
Last year, its employees' average income stood at 37,000 yuan, up 8.4 percent from 2005.
Following a central government order, the group plans to halt all crude steel production in Beijing as part of efforts to ease pollution. Formed in 1919, Shougang is one of the city's biggest polluters.
Earlier this month, it started building a new 9.7-million-ton plant in neighboring Hebei Province with Tangshan Iron & Steel Corp, China's No 3 steelmaker. The total cost of the new factory is estimated at 66.8 billion yuan.
But the group will keep its headquarters in Beijing as well as its non-steel businesses such as machinery and electronics, real estate and other service sectors.
Liu Shuiyang, Shougang's vice-president, said there would be 7.5 square kilometers of spare land in the Shijingshan District on the western outskirts of Beijing when it moves its steelmaking facilities, which could help the firm raise more than 20 billion yuan.
The money would be used for payout to its redundant workers and build the new plant in Hebei, Liu said.
A top official from Shijingshan District said the local government and Shougang would jointly set up a service center to help laid-off workers find new jobs.
The company's plan to cut jobs is also seen as a streamlining measure taken by many of China's State-owned industrial groups to improve productivity.
Zhu said Shougang aimed to double its steel production, turnover and profit by 2010 from 2005.
It plans to produce 20 million tons of steel in 2010. Last year, its steel production amounted to 10.5 million tons.
The company posted a profit of 2.8 billion yuan in 2006, up from 2.3 billion yuan the previous year. Its turnover climbed by 8.5 percent to 87.5 billion yuan last year.
Shougang also aims to be one of the world's top 500 multinational companies by 2019.
The group now has an annual steel production of 8 million tons in Beijing and another 4 million tons in Hebei.
Zhu said it planned to cut Beijing production capacity by 4 million tons by the end of this year.
He said earlier that Shougang was considering merging with smaller Chinese steel firms to expand in China, which has been the world's biggest steel producer for a decade.
But he didn't reveal details.
Crude steel production in China surged by 18.5 percent to 418.8 million tons last year from 2005, according to data from the China Iron & Steel Association.
The association predicted that production this year would grow by 10 percent.

Laigang posted record results in 2006(2007/03/29)
In 2006, Laigang produced pig iron of 5.465 million tons, steel of 5.7219 million tons, merchant billet of 6.7281 million tons and achieved headline operation earnings of 24.325 billion yuan, gross profit of 1.148 billion yuan, net profit of 746 million yuan, proceeds of 0.809 yuan per share and net asset yield of 13.64%, suggesting its operation results hit record high.
In 2006 the company washed out three Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe’s large diameter thick wall screw submerged arc welded pipe with high grade won the first prize of Shaanxi Science and Technology

Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe’s large diameter thick wall screw submerged arc welded pipe with high grade won the first prize of Shaanxi Science and Technology(2007/03/29)
Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe’s large diameter thick wall screw submerged arc welded pipe with high grade won the first prize of Shaanxi Province’s Science and Technology, together with 38 other first-prize winners and 182 second or third prize winners. Science and Technology Prize are the highest prize in science and technology in Shaanxi Province.
Recent years, Baoji Petroleum Pipe actively implemented the strategy of “boosting the company’s development by technology innovation”, and has made great progress on new product development, new technology application and core technology research and so on. Large diameter thick wall screw submerged arc welded pipe with high grade is developed for Shaanxi to Beijing No. 2 line and Eastern Gas Western Transportation Project in India, and 105,000 tons and nearly 600,000 tons of materials have been delivered to the said projects respectively, which brought Baoji Petroleum Pipe a large amount of income.
20t electric furnaces and a 120m3 blast furnace followed eliminating a 120m3 blast furnace in 2005. In the meanwhile, it developed Japanese standard heavy H section, America standard medium H section, Britain standard high strength H section, SCM822H and 42CrMoA gear steel, H section for poles on electrization railway and H section for ocean oil platform.
In the respect of energy saving, special steel plant launched utilization project of remaining heat from 50t electric furnace on December 25, 2006. Power consumption and oxygen consumption in the process of melting reduced by 20.2% and 24.8% respectively. Recycling utilization ratio of Fe contained solid waste rose by 6.5% from the previous year.

National Indoor Stadium to be completed in Oct Absorbing more than 80,000 tons of steel residues from Shougang（2007/03/28）
National Indoor Stadium (NIS) is located in the south of Olympic Green, next to the National Aquatic Center and National Stadium which are under construction, and it is the largest multifunctional stadium in Beijing, taking an area of 6.87 hectares and with a domestic building area of 80,890 square meters. Functions during the Games of NIS include Artistic Gymnastics, Trampolines, and Handball; and it will be used for sports competition, cultural and entertaining purposes, and will serve as a multi-functional exercise center for local residents in Post-Games period. Now the stadium begins the decoration, and will be completed in Oct this year.
According to the designers, due to that NIS adopted concave design, it needs to backfill sand and soil 2 to 4 meters thick to add the weight of NIS against the buoyant force caused by a higher underground water level. To reduce the impact on the environment, 82,000 tons of residues produced from steel-melting of Shougang was used as backfilling materials, which took use of the solid waste and also reduced the digging of natural sandstone.

Tanggang’s 1700 HR sheet mill hit daily record high（2007/03/27）
Tanggang’s 1700 production line in its No.1 rolling works produced slab of 7,202 tons on March 15, breaking the record high since its operation.
Firstly, the works purchased premium iron ingot and scrap, lowered sulfur content in hot metal and eased desulfurization pressure on LF furnace operation. Secondly, the line properly increased the temperature of liquid steel for No.3 LF and shortened warm-up time of LF, led to saving electricity while reducing various energy consumptions. Thirdly, the works recycled residual slab and reduced cost. Fourthly, preparation works were properly done to maintain higher continuous casting ratio at 1.8 meters per minute.

Angang’s shipbuilding steel passed certificates by ship’s classifications from five countries(2007/03/26)
Shipbuilding steel produced by No.2 workshop of Angang has passed certificates by ship’s classifications from China, the USA, the UK, France and Germany, which meant the materials from Angang Stecke1 mill having reached world’s leading level and capable of exporting to the developed countries.
The process of authorization started from May 2006 to November, including 15 rounds of physical preparation works such as setting, melting, heating, rolling, sampling, processing and testing as well as trace and supervision over production by the five ship’s classifications. The company received certificate from the UK Lloyd's Register of Shipping on February 26 2007 with period of validity till January 20 2010.
The thick of new material rose to 36mm from the previous 25mm and the strength of ordinary shipbuilding sheet increased to D grade.

Shagang’s CDM project gained approval from NDRC(2007/03/26)
The three CDM projects of Shagang Group in Jiangsu Province gained approval from NDRC (National Development and Reform Committee). These projects will sell quotas for emitting 1.07 million tons of carbon dioxide per year to developed countries, and will gain a profit of more than 8 million US dollars per year through value exchange.
Till now, the investment department of Shagang Group has finished the project study and environment impact investigation, gained the related certificates, renewed the affiliated documents, and signed a Letter of intent for Carbon Purchase with chosen buyers. Gaining approval from NDRC will speed up the progress of the CDM projects. Next, a 30-day public notice will be given by a famous testing and assessment company in the world, TÜV Rheinland Group of Germany, and followed by the scene investigation and study, and prudence evaluation from international buyers’ experts, applying for registering to UN CDM Executive Committee. It is estimated that the application will be completed by July this year. After being implemented, the projects will contribute to Shagang’s energy saving, decreasing emitted wastes, cutting costs and increasing profits.

First 100-meter long on-line heat treatment rail made in Pangang(2007/03/26)
New Steel & Vanadium’s rail and beam plant produced a 100-meter long cut-to-length on-line heat treatment rail on March 17 for the first time in China, which allowed productivity and capacity of heat treatment rail in Pangang to triple from the previous scale on the basis of 25-meter long line, which was self-developed in 1990s.
The newly-built 100-meter long line, which started construction in October 2006 for main body, can produce wide range grades of heat treatment rails with 9-100m long, 37.2kg/m-75kg/m section and 880MPa-1300MPa, its use life is once to three times as long as those of ordinary ones.
At the moment, Pangang’s materials have been used in the heavy loaded railway such as Daqin and Shuohuang,
which are highly appreciated by the customers.

Magang successfully developed H-section steel for overhead contact net equipment of high-speed passenger special line（2007/03/23）
On 17th March, Magang’s large H-section production line successfully produced H300mm×300mm hot rolled H-section of European standard. This new product is developed by Magang for overhead contact net equipment of high-speed passenger special lines which are to be constructed or under construction in China. Now the company has received the first order from the railway special for high-speed passenger transportation between Nanjing and Hefei, which is under construction now.

Primary design for Lueyang Iron and Steel’s 0.6 million tons rod project passed（2007/03/23）
On 2nd March, a meeting to check the primary design for Lueyang Iron and Steel’s 0.6 million tons rod project was held by Metallurgy Industry Administrative Bureau. The experts from the contracted designer, Beijing Iron & Steel Design and Research General Incorporation of China Metallurgical Construction Company, introduced the primary design for the project. And the participants went through the design, made a spot investigation and discussed it carefully. The meeting drew a conclusion that the design is in accord with the company’s actual situation, and the collocation is compact and reasonable, the technologies are among the stable and advanced ones, and therefore the design is of a high level, energy-saving, environment-friendly and effective.
And the design will be further improved.

Export-Import Bank of China supports An’gang’s equipment and technology upgrading(2007/03/21)
　 Export-Import Bank of China signed Bank and Enterprise Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Anshan Iron and Steel Group Company in Beijing. The agreement is to help An’gang with importing new and high technology products, oversea investment projects, key equipments and advanced technology through loans.
Till the end of 2006, the bank has released credits for export and import to the three provinces in Northeast China amounting to more than 40 billion Yuan, and the amount for machinery and electric equipments export topped 13 billion US dollars, boosting the development of open economy and the reviving of the aged industry base.

Zhu Jimin: Shougang’s relocation to promote structural adjustment in steel industry(2007/03/20)
Zhu Jimin, chairman of Shougang said recently Shougang’s relocation could exert far-reaching influence on regional layout and the development of the domestic steel producers. From the view of regional layout, the position of our steel industry is not properly deployed, with over 30 medium and large producers building in the cities.
The new location is on Caofeidian Inland of Bohai Bay, the southern part of Tangshan city and in the economic circle covering Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province. The move is an example of shifting steel sectors from city to coastal area and of cross-provincial transplant in the country, making the layout of the whole industry more reasonable.
From the point of products structure, lower grade steel products in China still dominated the market in the absence of real high-end materials although the country is a big steel producer. The building of Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel will help to promote products structural adjustment.
The new company boasts the world’s largest four 7.63-meter coking ovens and most advanced blast furnace with 5,500 cubic meters. The main products will include hot rolled strip, cold rolled strip, hot galvanized sheet, color coating sheet, electric sheet and so on, which can apply to auto, shipbuilding, pipeline and home appliance sectors.

14 Chinese firms signed EU environmental protection agreement(2007/03/20)
14 Chinese firms including Nanjing Iron and Steel Complex Company signed Europe Union disciplined emission cut agreement, which will receive technical support from EU and privilege policy from Chinese Government. These firms, covering steel, petro-chemistry, chemical industry and construction materials, pledged to enhance energy utilization of 3-5% per annual over the next three years and reduce pollution discharge of 3-5%.
Nanjing Iron and Steel said it would introduce international advanced management idea and lift liability over environmental protection to self-conscious level.

Baogang to boost Rare Earth High Tech’s development(2007/03/20)
According to the news from Rare-Earth High-Tech Company Ltd of Baogang, the company plans to achieve the target of producing rare earth 18,000 tons, realizing sales income 2.0 billion Yuan and profits 100 million Yuan, and increasing employees’ income by more than 6,000 Yuan, through lifting the resources management, improving the production and performance and so on six measures.

An’gang’s steel capacity will reach 10 million tons（2007/03/19）
On 13th March, An’gang Group’s 150 tons converter of 1,780 mm continuous hot rolling project came to an end of equipment installation, and part of the project has launched testing. The project involves an investment of 3.7 billion Yuan, and is the key project of the group’s “three-step” development plan. After the project launching operation in the first half of 2007, An’gang will gain a finished steel capacity of 10 million tons per year.

Jiugang’s carbon steel cold rolling project launched construction(2007/03/15)
On 6th March 2007, the key project of “11th Five-Year” plan, carbon steel cold rolling project of Jiugang began.
The project is one of the key projects of the “11th Five-Year” plan for Jiugang, which targets at improving the product mix, expanding the product specifications, lifting the added value and the competing ability. The main equipments of the project include a unit of pickling joint rolling machine, a suit of bell type annealing furnaces, two galvanizing units, a heavy coil unit and four packing machines. And the project has a capacity of 1.50 million tons of cold rolled carbon steel sheets per year, which are mainly used in construction, light industry equipments, home applications, chemical materials packing and auto-making and so on, and can also be used as black sheet for galvanizing. The project is scheduled to complete the construction in April 2008, and then begins the equipments installation, and will launch testing and function check during Jan to Aug 2009.

Baosteel’s high-grade construction steel applied to new building of CCTV(2007/03/14)
Baosteel’s self-developed high-grade Q460E construction structural steel applied to new building of CCTV for the first time and 438 tons of the materials have been so far delivered, which were highly appreciated by customers. Baosteel has become one of the most full-ranged suppliers of high-grade construction structural steel in the country.
Q460E high strength structural steel is a kind of top materials used in the domestic construction market. The company adopted 5-meter plate mill to successively develop high strength structural steel such as Q390 and Q420 that to be applied in new building of CCTV.

Baogang’s net profit for 2006 decreased by 35% from that of 2005(2007/03/14)
According to the annual report of Baotou Steel Union Company Ltd for 2006, due to the decline in steel prices and rise in costs of raw materials, the company realized net profit 654 million Yuan in 2006, decreasing by 35.04% from that of 2005.
“The main steel products, such as medium plate, seamless pipe and tube, section, are not high grade materials. Though 70% to 80% of the minerals are from the mines of Baogang Group, the rises in raw materials in 2006 influenced the company’s profit, due to that the mines are not included in.” said Mao Zuhong, a steel analyst of United Securities.
In Nov 2006, Baotou Steel Union announced that the company had approved the plan to directionally increase the issued shares and be listed as a whole. Now the plan is under investigation of CSRC (China Securities Regulatory Committee). If wholly listed in stock market, the steel output and also the iron ore mines will both be taken into the company listed. Baiyun’ebo mine has a confirmed reserve of 950 million tons, and therefore the mine can afford for mining at a scale of 10 million tons per year for at least 30 years. Besides, the coal reserve in Baotou area is rich, with a minable reserve of 8.5 billion tons.
Baotou Steel Union targets to realize net profit 830 million Yuan in 2007, and also plans to increase the output of high grade steel products. However, though the cold rolled sheet production line and cold rolled galvanized sheet line launched operation in 2006, the incomes for main business decreased by 3.72% from that of the former year, due to the sharp decline in iron and steel product prices.
According to Lin Donglu, board chairman Baogang Group (Baotou Iron and Steel Group), the recombination negotiation between Baogang and Baosteel has begun. Now Baosteel is promoting the process through contacting with related local authorities in Inner Mongolia and Baogang Group. Director of Reform and Development Committee Inner Mongolia branch, Liang Tiecheng said the government plans to boost the production in Baogang Group to 15 million tons as soon as possible.
The government in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region holds 64.39% of the stake in Baogang Group, while Baogang Group holds 44.97% of the whole shares in Baotou Steel Union, still the largest shareholder.

China Pan’gang Group plans to be listed as a whole(2007/03/13)
As a major iron and steel company in China, Panzhihua Iron and Steel (Group) Company plans to be listed on stock exchange market as a whole, but the timetable is not made yet. And the company may cooperate with other domestic iron and steel companies.
Now the company has several subsidiaries that have already been listed, including Panzhihua Steel and Vanadium, Chongqing Titanium Industry, and Changcheng Special Steel and so on. Among them, Panzhihua Steel and Vanadium is one of the companies involving in the main business, iron and steel.

Bayi Iron and Steel will construct hot rolled strip project by a loan of 1.17 billion Yuan(2007/03/12)
During the general meeting held on March 6th 2007, the shareholders of Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel Company Ltd reached an agreement, which includes that: firstly, agree the company to apply to banks involved for a comprehensive credit line amounting to 350 million Yuan; secondly, agree the company apply to iron and steel division of China Construction Bank (CCB) Xinjiang Branch for a loan of 1.17 billion Yuan, which is to be used as an investment on the construction of 1,750 mm hot rolled strip project.

Baosteel in talks to integrate mid-sized Baotou Iron & Steel(2007/03/12)
(Xinhua) -- Lin Donglu, board chairman of the Baotou Iron & Steel Group in north China, said Friday that the corporation is in talks with the Shanghai Baosteel Group Corp., China's largest steel producer, to be integrated into the latter.
The consolidation of steel businesses in China is key to the profit prospect of steel plants with annual production capacity of less than ten million tons, said Lin, also a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), the parliament, at the ongoing NPC annual session.
Baosteel is seeking acquisition targets nationwide. It acquired69.61 percent of the stocks of Xinjiang Bayi Iron & Steel in January, Lin said, taking the acquisition as a wise move.
"The restructuring is in line with the government policy of encouraging consolidation in the steel sector and a win-win strategy for all since we can share technology, capital and sales network," he said.
Liang Tiecheng, director of the Regional Reform and Development Commission in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region where Baotou is located, said Baosteel had proposed to purchase a controlling stake of Baotou Iron & Steel Group. But the request has not been decided.
Baotou Iron & Steel produced 7.48 million tons of crude steel last year, compared with 22.5 million tons from Baosteel.
Liang, an NPC deputy, said the potential cooperation with Baosteel is a major step to boost Baotou's steel production capacity to 15 million tons from the current ten million tons.
The Baotou Iron & Steel is faced with growth bottlenecks as the profit margin from traditional steel products has become very thin, Liang added.
China plans to establish two to three steel conglomerates with an annual production of over 30 million tons each by 2010 through consolidation, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.
It also expects the nation's top ten domestic steel companies will control more than half of the country's total steel output by then.

An’gang plans to produce more than 16 million tons of steel in 2007(2007/03/09)
On the ground of the fact that the steel and iron output in 2006 both toped 15.00 million tons, An’gang plans to increase the steel and iron output in 2007 to more than 16.00 million tons.
The company plans to produce 16.00 million tons of iron, 16.00 million tons of steel and 14.85 million tons of finished steel in 2007. Meanwhile, the company targets at constructing An’gang Company Ltd a stock-market-listed company with a high competing capacity in international markets, deepening the reform, further boosting the innovation on production and management systems and the technology development.

Energy consumption of New Shougang to reach international level(2007/03/09)
Zhu Jimin, Chairman at Shougang Group said energy consumption and clean production in the group will reach international level. He added Shougang’s relocation and New Shougang project got approval from State Bureau of Environmental Protection last year. According to the report, utilization of solid waste of New Shougang reaches 99.5%, recycling ratio of water to 97.5% and energy consumption and clean production will reach international level.

Baosteel’s hot dipped galvanized sheet enters Guangzhou Honda’s logistic system（2007/03/08）
Baosteel International Southern Company keeps on working to list Baosteel’s products into Guangzhou Honda’s purchasing system. Recently, Guangzhou Honda signed a purchase deal of 320 tons of hot dipped galvanized outer sheets from Southern Company, which are to be applied as fender and front door and back door’s outer panel. This is the first sale of Baosteel’s hot dipped galvanized sheet for auto outer panel to Guangzhou Honda.

Taigang and Sinosteel signed strategic agreement（2007/03/08）
Taiyuan Iron and Steel and Sinosteel Corporation held a signing ceremony for strategic cooperation in the morning of March 1 at Taigang’s guesthouse, marking a new stage for the cooperation between the two companies.
　　As a large government controlled enterprise under the management of State-owned Assets Supervision Administration Commission of the State Council, Sinosteel Corporation provides steel industry and producers with businesses of resource development in relation to composite assistant and system integration, trade and logistics, engineering technology, facility manufacturing and professional service. The company boasts a marketing network covering the world and service system and is a supplier and agent of raw materials for Chinese major steel makers. Taigang is one of the largest integrated steel mill and the biggest stainless steel maker in China.
The cooperation between the two will play an active role in developing Chinese steel industry at coordinated and sustained pace.

Delong Iron and Steel’s 500,000 tons cold rolling plate and sheet project began construction（2007/03/07）
Based on the policy of relying the county’s development on industry and by projects, Xingtai County focuses on strengthening the major industries and companies, and tries to form a new type of development boosted by several factors.
Several key projects were seen to begin construction work at the start of 2007, including Delong Iron and Steel’s 500,000 tons cold rolling plate and sheet project with an investment of 760 million Yuan; No. 4 and No. 5 coking furnaces, involving an investment of 460 million Yuan, of China Coal Risun Coking; the 200,000 tons benzene hydrogenation project costing 210 million Yuan in Xuyang coal industry zone, and the 250 million Yuan Hongxing Auto technology improving project gets ready, the 400,000 carbon black project with an investment of 200 million US dollars is under plan. Focusing on economy development, giving prominence to projects construction, while strengthening on environment protection, the county targets to playing a leading role in the economy and society development in Xingtai and even in Hebei Province.

II phase project of plate mill in Baosteel Branch started yesterday（2007/03/07）
Baosteel Branch’s plate mill put on stream in March 2005 and reached full-scale operation in last May. With the development of national economy and rapid growth in demand for high-end materials, Baosteel decided to launch construction of II phase of plate mill.
The project included a 5-meter rough rolling mill for plate with world’s leading technology and No.2 cutting straddle, and most parts were integrated and supplied from domestic sources. The project will come on stream at the end of 2008 with construction period of 22 months. By then, the output will increase to 1.8 million tons per year from the current 1.4 million tons and rolling capacity rise to 2 million tons.

Angang Steel Reports Leadership Reshuffle(2007/03/06)
Angang Steel Company Limited, a plc commonly known as Ansteel, announced on Monday that Liu Jie, chairman and member on Ansteel's board of directors, had resigned from both posts because of retirement.
Ansteel is the steel making subsidiary of Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation, a diversified conglomerate with headquarters in Anshan, a city in northeast China's Liaoning Province.
The board of directors with Ansteel has agreed that Tang Fuping, the incumbent vice chairman of the board, should serve as the acting chairman until late March when shareholders will hold a congress and formally elect a new chairman of the board.
The board of directors of Ansteel also suggested that Zhang Xiaogang, the incumbent general manager of Anshan Iron and Steel Group, serve as a managing director on the board. Zhang was elected president of China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) early this month.
When shareholders meet late in March, they will discuss the proposal about Zhang's appointment as the managing director on the board of directors with Ansteel and vote for their decision.
Anshan Iron and Steel Group produced 15 million tons of iron and 15 million tons of steel last year and will make 16 million tons of iron and 16 million tons of steel this year.
China's steel industry generated a record 170 billion yuan (about US$21.25 billion) in gross profits in 2006, up 39.8 billion yuan (about US$4.98 billion) or 30.6 percent year on year.

Xin’gang began construction of 3.00 million tons sheet project（2007/03/02）
The first industrial project that involves an investment of more than 10 billion Yuan in Jiangxi Province, Xin’gang’s 3.00 million ton sheet project, which involves an investment of 12.6 billion Yuan, began construction. The project is a key one of Jiangxi Province’s “eleventh five-year” plan, and will be built in two phases.
The phase one is due to completed by the end of 2008, and has a hot rolled coil capacity of 1.50 million tons per year to 1.75 million tons per year and a cold rolled coil capacity of 1.20 million tons per year; the phase two is scheduled to be ready by the end of 2009, and therefore boosts the hot rolled coil capacity to more than 3.00 million tons per year. The technology of the project is among the advanced level in domestic and in international market, and the project is to be constructed one of the high grade sheet production base in China.
The project is also the first large project in Jiangxi of cold rolled sheet, and will help to improve the iron and steel industry structure in Jiangxi, lift the competing ability and achieve the target of realizing sales income of iron and steel industry in Jiangxi Province more than 100 billion Yuan by the end of 2010.

Caofeidian fine steel base to launch construction on February 26（2007/03/01）
Caofeidian fine steel base in Tangshan district is going to launch construction on February 26. By the end of 2008, the base will form an integrated production scale of 4.85 million tons per year and produce 9.7 million tons per year by the end of 2010 with high-end materials such as hot and cold rolled steel that aim to replace for imported ones.
The project will cost 67.7 billion yuan and be established by Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel Complex Co., Ltd., a joint venture from Shougang and Tanggang.
The project includes four 60-hole coking ovens, two 600m2 sintering mills, two 5,500m3 blast furnaces, four 300t converters, regular hot continuous strip mills for 2,250mm and 1,780mm each and cold continuous strip mills for 2,230mm, 1,700mm and 1,550mm each. ng out relocation project for steel.

Tanggang Group signed strategic agreement with Shanxi Coking Coal Group（2007/02/28）
Tanggang Group signed a strategic frame agreement with Shanxi Coking Coal Group in recent days. This was the first contract with a company that had long-term cooperation with three directly under controlled subsidiary companies of the group since new Tanggang was established. The deal will help to ease the tightened supply situation, make sure long-term supply chain and better resist market risk for the group. Shanxi Coking Coal is currently the largest coking coal producer in China with full-range and high quality materials.

Anyang Iron and Steel Group signed strategic cooperation agreement with China MinMetals（2007/02/28）
On 8th Feb 2007, basing on the principle of equality and mutual benefit, taking both advantages, and boosting each other’s development, Anyang Iron and Steel Group signed strategic cooperation agreement with China MinMetals Corporation, the largest trading company of metals and minerals in China.
According to the agreement, China MinMetals will take advantage of its better capital and resume and marketing net in the world, provide Anyang Iron and Steel with services in iron ore purchase, steel products marketing and cooperation on investment. Anyang Iron and Steel Group will secure iron ore supply and products sale, and then further decrease the production costs, boosting the “three-step” strategy for development.

San’gang produced the first medium plate in Fujian(2007/02/16)
The medium plate project, which involves an investment of 1.2 billion Yuan in total, is the largest single investment of San’gang, including slab continuous casting project with an investment of 180 million Yuan and medium plate project with an investment of more than 900 million Yuan. The project got under construction in Oct 2005, and began equipment installation in Feb 2006, and launched commissioning in Nov. on 2nd and 3rd Feb 2007, the project succeeded in cold commissioning and hot commissioning simultaneously .
It is learned that the medium plate project has an installed capacity of 42,000 KW, the equipments have a weight of nearly 20,000 tons in total, and the maximum capacity of cranes is 200 tons. The phase one of the project is to have a plate capacity of 800,000 tons, and will rise to 1.20 million tons in phase two. The project can produce medium plate of 5 mm to 50 mm in thickness, 1.4 meters to 2.7 meters in width and 3 meters to 12 meters in length, and also capable of producing low alloy plate with a length of 30 meters in max, high quality carbon plate and plates for bridge fabricating, pressure vessel, boiler manufacturing and ship building. The project launching operation will contribute to the development of manufacturing and shipbuilding industries in Fujian Province.

Shougang struggles to reach 20 million tons by 2010(2007/02/16)
Zhu Jimin, Chairman of Shougang said on February 8 that the company will double its sales income and overseas turnover, profit and annual salary per capita by 2010 in comparison with 2005 and produce steel of 20 million tons.
He added Shougang will make great efforts to develop Beijing headquarter economy, electric machinery, construction, service, mineral industry as well as overseas business while carrying out relocation project for steel.

Shougang to entirely eliminate pollution discharge in the course of steel production by 2010（2007/02/15）
Zhu Jimin, Chairman at Shougang told the press the company will entirely eliminate pollution discharge in the course of steel production by 2010. Shougang’s emission of sulfur dioxide, soot and dust reduced by 79.6%, 87.8% and 77.6% respectively between 1995 and 2006, oxygen consumption for chemical lowered by 97%; discharges like petroleum material by 98%; integrated energy consumption per ton reduced from 1,129.9 kg to 654.2 kg; fresh water consumption from 13.83 cubic meters to 3.76 cubic meters.
Shougang has invested 2.13 billion yuan since 1995 to address 381 environmental protection items, successively cease production of electric furnaces at special steel companies and ferroalloy plants, of cold rolled mills, of heavy machinery plants, of boom caster, 2 million tpy’s No.1 steel works, one million tpy’s No.5 blast furnace and No.2 coking oven, lowering the pollution emission on essential basis.
Shougang’s steel capacity in Beijing area will be reduced by 4 million tons by the end of 2007 and completely stop melting and rolling operation by the end of 2010. In order to hold 2008 Olympic Games, the company already set up concrete plans to lower pollution emission to great extend. By 2008, discharge of dust, soot and sulfur dioxide will be decreased by 59.44%, 56.82% and 76.82% respectively.

NDRC gave approval to Xin’gang’s 1,580 mm sheet project（2007/02/15）
　 Recently, National Reform and Development Committee (NRDC) gave approval to the 1,580 mm sheet project of Xinyu Iron and Steel Company Ltd. The project plans to abandon four blast furnaces of 300 cube meters, six converters of 20 tons and 25 tons, two electric furnaces of 20 tons, with a capacity of iron melting up to 1.50 million tons, a capacity of steel melting to 2.40 million tons and steel rolling capacity to 1.70 million tons. Instead, the project will construct a 1,580 mm hot continuous rolling unit, a 1,550 mm cold continuous unit, and the supplement facilities.
When the project launches operation, the integrated energy consumed per ton steel will down to 680 kg standard coal, raw water consumed per ton steel will down to 6 cube meters, the discharged sulfur dioxide will decrease by 871 tons per year, the discharged dusts by 4,260 tons per year. The project will help to strengthen the competing ability of Xinyu Iron and Steel and play an important role in boosting the development of economy in Jiangxi Province, the start of Chinese revolution.

Baosteel stainless cold strip project began electrical facilities installation（2007/02/14）
After the part one of cold rolled strip project of stainless steel subsidiary of Baosteel began, with 20th MCC (20th Metallurgic Construction Company)’s efforts, now the construction of more than 6,100 sets of concrete precast piles has been completed, the construction for heat treatment annealing facility has been completed, and three cranes bestriding the main workshop for pickling has launched operation. With the shell for heating furnace being installed recently, the electrical facilities installation began.

Egang 1,500 mm cold rolling line to begin trial production in March（2007/02/14）
　　The 1,500 mm two-stand cold rolling line of Egang is to begin trial production in March, with the products ranging from 0.25 mm to 2.0 mm in thickness and 800 mm to 1,380 mm in width. The design capacity of the line is 600,000 tons per year, and is estimated to produce 350,000 tons of materials in 2007, targeting at auto, light industry and home applicants.
The line is the first project after Wugang and Egang’s combination, with the construction of main workshop completed on 20th Jan.

New steel plant of Shougang to start construction this February（2007/02/14）
Zhu Jimin, Chairman at Shougang said 64,700 employees will be reallocated by 2010 and enter the world’s top 500 at the time of its century anniversary.
He said a coordinated team for Shougang’s relocation project established by the State Council has pledged to provide policy and finance supports and construction works of Jingtang Iron and Steel plant, a new site of Shougang is expected to start this February and complete by 2010, capable of producing 9.7 million tons of steel. The plant will become the first sea-based steel site in the country.
　New Shougang will adopt 220 advanced technologies from home and abroad for the main facilities, of which self-developed and –integrated element will account for two third or above. Shougang Beijing Shunyi’s cold rolled project will be completed at the end of 2007 with cold rolled sheet capacity of 1.5 million tons per year.
Zhu Jimin said the group’s sales earnings, overseas turnover, profit and annual payroll per capita will double in 2010 in comparison with those in 2005; steel production will be 20 million tons per year, and integrated energy consumption, fresh water consumption and capacity to address environmental protection be in line with international level. He added by the time of its century anniversary, Shougang will enter the world’s top 500 and become an international large enterprise.

Stainless Steel Plant Begins Trial Run(2007/02/13)
Lianzhong Stainless Steel Corp, which owns the largest Taiwanese-funded stainless steel mill in South China, started a trial run of its new plant in Guangzhou yesterday.
"After the shop officially opens, Lianzhong will be able to better integrate its products and strengthen our presence on the mainland steel market," said Li Bixian, president of the company.
With a designed annual production capacity of more than 1 million tons of steel, the facility a type known in the industry as a "steel melt shop" opens after a three-year development of Lianzhong's cold- and hot-rolled stainless steel production lines that required an investment of 790 million yuan.
Lianzhong launched its first cold-rolled stainless steel production line in early 2004.
With the launch of its steel melt shop, Lianzhong becomes the mainland's first overseas-invested integrated steel mill to include production of hot- and cold-rolled and melt steel.

Lenggang set targets for 2007(2007/02/09)
Early January, Lengshuijiang Iron and Steel Company set targets for 2007 as following: realizing industrial value 7.0 billion Yuan, sales income 7.0 billion Yuan and profits 378 million Yuan; producing 2.10 million tons of iron, 2.20 million tons of steel and 2.55 million tons of finished steel; and boosting the income for each employer to 26,000 Yuan per year; no grave casualty accident, no serious equipment accident and environment pollution accident and pushing the ratio of posts meeting the standards for dust to 82% or above.
The company realized sales income nearly 6.0 billion Yuan, profits 360 million Yuan, and completed investment 618 million Yuan in 2006, having the largest increase on economy growth and investment implementing. 2007 will see the company make a landmark on reform and structure altering, and also a great improving and hike on product mix and production. The company will lift the speed of technology modernization and strengthen the management, while focus on maintaining the production on a high level, securing the steel, iron and finished steel output reach 2.00 million tons in 2007.

Chonggang announced start-up of relocation for environmental protection(2007/02/09)
Chonggang Group announced at a press reference start up of relocation for environmental protection in the afternoon on February 6.
A spokesman said the project has been listed as one of the key projects out of ten items. As early as June to December of 2006, the local government decided to remove production line at Chonggang to Jiangnan Town, Changshou District, which could help improve environment quality.
The project will divide into three phases with total investment of 24 billion yuan or so. By 2010, existing facilities will shut down with operation of the new base. The major civil engineering project this May will bring forward construction climax at Chonggong site.

WISDRI and Xianggang Group strengthened capital cooperation（2007/02/08）
WISDRI (Xiangtan) Iron and Steel Engineering Technology Corp. held the first shareholder meeting on February 2nd, officially becoming a holding subsidiary of WISDRI Engineering and Research Incorporation Limited (WISDRI).
WISDRI and Xianggang Group strengthened capital cooperation at Xianggang’s engineering firm, which allowed the joint venture to become a base for WISDRI to undertake projects from Xianggang and provide service on spot for the latter. Furthermore, a capital-based consolidation in the relationship will be conducive to carving out business and planning in the middle land for WISDRI.

Shougang signed strategic agreement with Yangquan Coal（2007/02/08）
Shougang signed strategic agreement with Yangquan Coal Group on February 1st 2007. Leaders of both companies attended the signing ceremony, which will promote the development of both companies and make great sense in the development of the steel industry and coal industry in the country.
Wang Tixuan, Chairman of Yangquan said Shougang has long been regarded our important partner and both companies have established in-depth relationship through cooperation and development. Zhu Jimin, leader of Shougang said Yangquan has been a key supply base of PCI coal for Shougang and appreciated the support and help from the group.
Yangquan Coal is the largest production base of premium anthracite and the largest producer of blast furnace PCI coal in the country with famous brand of “Yangyou”, which boasts feature of high quality, low ash, low sulfur, low volatile, high heat value, high contented of fixed carbon and good performance for grinding.

Taigang plans to construct the third stainless steel processing center in Tianjin（2007/02/08）
Taigang signed a cooperation agreement with Wuxi Daming at the end of 2006, to construct the third stainless steel processing center of Taigang in Tianjin, with Wuxi Daming holding the majority shares.
The center is the third stainless steel processing plant of Taigang after the one in Foshan and Liaoning Province (under construction), and will have a capacity of 300,000 tons per year, including slitting, cutting, leveling and so on. The materials will be mainly provided by Taigang, and some will be sourced from Japan, South Korea and so on. The center is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007.

Shougang high speed wire and rod plant set targets for 2007(2007/02/07)
In 2007, the plant targets to produce 2.83 million tons of steel products, of which high grade and high value added products accounts 2.17 million tons, and strategic products 1.82 million tons. In the breakdown, the plant plans to produce 2.33 million tons of high quality wires in 2007, of which high grade and high value added products accounts 1.67 million tons, and strategic products accounts 1.40 million tons; and 500,000 tons of high grade rods, 100% of which are high grade and high value added products, and strategic products accounts 420,000 tons. And the plant intends to raise the integrated product ratio of wire to 97.55%, and that for rod to 95.1%; and decrease the production costs by 37.52 million Yuan from that of 2006; and prevent any grave accident and decrease the accident number.

NRWC gave approval to Luohe Iron Mine project of Magang（2007/02/06）
Recently, National Reform and Development Committee (NRWC) gave approval to Luohe Iron Mine Construction Project of Magang Holdings Company Ltd. The project, which involves an investment of 1.1 billion Yuan in total, plans to mine 3.00 million tons per year of crude ore, and produce 983,100 tons per year of concentrates containing iron 66% and 306,000 tons of concentrates with a sulfur content 39.8%.
The existing mines of Magang now are waning, with minable reserve declining sharply, and are to be closed in 3 to 5 years in the future due to dry-up. So developing the substitutes is necessary. Construction of the project will secure the raw materials supply for Magang, and therefore the project is important to the company’s sustainable development.

Baogang’s super thin CR sheet project put on stream（2007/02/06）
Baogang launched the cold rolled sheet project at its No.1 Middle Mill plant on January 31. The project, which started on May 17, 2006 took only eight months.
The line is the first single-stand reversing cold rolled sheet project in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region with pickling capacity of 300,000 tons per year and cold rolled capacity of 100,000 tons per year, capable of producing materials with thick of 0.15-0.5mm and wide of 960-1250mm, filling the gap in Baosteel’s ranges.

Chonggang Group sets targets for 2007(2007/01/31)
Chonggang Group has made production and performance plans for 2007 as following. First, the performance plan: realizing sales income 14.8 billion Yuan (total) and 12.3 billion Yuan (consolidated), and revenues 1.0 billion Yuan and profits 0.2 billion Yuan. Second, the production and performance plans iron and steel sector: producing 1.52 million tons of coke, 3.03 million tons of iron, 3.23 million tons of steel, 3.25 million tons of finished steel and 350,000 tons of new products; improving at least 80% of the main technology and economic indexes; sales ratio to production reaching 100% and getting 100% of the payment for goods returned. Third, the plans for non-steel sectors: the income accounting at least 20% of the whole.

Shougang to permanently shut down 4 million tpy of steel capacity(2007/01/31)
Zhu Jimin, Board Chairman of Shougang Group said in an interview that Shougang’s Caofeidian new plant will produce first heat of steel in November 2008 and the group plans to permanently shut down 4 million tons per year of steel capacity by the end of this year.
Relocation project started from 2005 when its No.5 blast furnace with annual capacity of 900,000 tons was closed in June 30, reducing emission of sulfur dioxide by 48 tons each year. On May 9 2006, Shougang’s No.2 coking oven ceased, reducing discharge of sulfur dioxide by 0.24 ton, of soot by 4 tons and of dust by 189 tons per year. At the moment, the company has a capacity of 8.2 million tons per year in Beijing. Mr. Zhu said the capacity will be squeezed by another 50% by the end of 2007.
Over the past two years, the company invested 220 million yuan to address environmental issue. For a reference, Shougang will entirely complete relocation project by 2010.

An’gang began construction of 100-meter standard heavy rail production line(2007/01/30)
Recently, with the 50-meter standard omnipotence rolling line for heavy rail stopped production to upgrade, An’gang Company Ltd began the construction of 100-meter standard heavy rail production line. And the project is scheduled to be completed in April this year.
An’gang was the first producer of rail after People’s Republic of China was founded, and now the company’s heavy rail accounts more than one third in the domestic market, with the heavy rails of An’gang brand won the honor of “famous brand in China” in 2005.

Pinggang mapped out new development plan(2007/01/30)
According to a new development plan, Pinggang will achieve a growth of 30% per year for sales earning and 40% per year for tax payment in the next four years, and obtain sales earning of 30 billion yuan and tax payment of 3.5 billion yuan by 2010.
In 2006, the company achieved sales earning of 11.16 billion yuan and profit of 420 million yuan. In the next four years, it will entirely implement scientific development view, continue to adhere to strategy of “finding out latent capacity and reconsolidation” as well as elevate production scale via reconsolidations.
In cost control, the company will continue to find out latent capacity, lower purchase cost by optimizing purchase channel, reduce production cost by technology reform and eliminating backward process and lower management cost by optimizing management and incentive systems.
As regard to sales, Pinggang will focus on both domestic and overseas markets, centering on the USA, Middle East, South and Central Americas and Southeast Asia while taking account of Europe, South Korea and others.

Laigang Coking and Chemical’s No.1 and No.2 coke furnaces stopped production（2007/01/29）
According to National Environment Protection Administration and provincial government’s orders, from 20th to 21st Jan, Laigang Coking and Chemical Company stopped the operation of No.1 and No.2 coke furnaces, marking that the furnaces became out of service after 25 and 34 years’ production.

Tanggang’s large wide strip line for hot galvanizing and annealing passed provincial certificate（2007/01/29）
Science and Technology Bureau in Tangshan city held an appraisement meeting on January 17 2007, at which Tanggang Corp’s large wide strip continuous production line for both hot galvanizing and annealing was regarded the first project in the country with world-class technology and self-owned intellectual property right.
In order to meet market demand, the company carried out reform on the original hot rolled galvanizing line in June 2005 and developed the new line for both hot galvanizing and annealing. After one year’s operation, the line can produce annealing products in totally complying with the standard concerned and customer’s requirement.

The silicon steel line of Taigang has the first batch of qualified coils（2007/01/26）
On 21st Jan, after the shearing and packing line succeeded in hot commissioning on 15th Dec 2006, the silicon steel line of Taigang produced the first batch of qualified coils. The silicon steel project of Taigang is contracted with WISDRI Engineering & Research Incorporation Limited (WISDRI).

Shougang obtained sales earning of 87.47 billion yuan in 2006（2007/01/26）
In 2006, Shougang digested 1.713 billion yuan of negative factors due to declining sell prices and increasing fuel prices and gained 1.273 billion yuan from increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. The group achieved sales earning of 87.47 billion yuan, up 9% from the previous year; profit of 1.65 billion yuan, up 2.1% and value added ratio up to 103% for stated-owned assets. It produced double-high products of 7.26 million tons, up 1.42 million tons, accounting for 71.3% of the totals; dominant products of 4.71 million tons, up 1.77 million tons, accounting for 64.9% of double high products. Integrated energy consumption per ton in steel business in Beijing area, Qiangang and Shouqin declined by 21.6 kg, 70.9 kg and 41.1 kg respectively compared with the previous year.
The group invested 89.28 million yuan to carry out 16 environmental protection projects such as desulfuration and dedust for 220t coal-based boiler in power station, closed dedust in No.2 steel works and drainage recycling from sewage treatment plant. Having shut down No.2 coking oven, Shougang improved its environmental quality and discharge of soot, dust and sulfur dioxide declined by 0.9%, 4.9% and 2.1% respectively from the previous year.
Mining company produced pellet of 10.65 million tons in 2006 and achieved production value of over 1.3 billion yuan for non-ore.
Shougang International Trade and Engineering exported steel of 2.02 million tons, up 500,000 tons; imported 18.55 million tons, up 21.4%; among which 12.8 million tons were sued for the domestic market, and earned foreign exchange of $846 million, 52% above the original plan.

Taiyuan Iron and Steel becomes the world’s largest stainless producer(2007/01/25)
Li Xiaobo, General Manager of Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. (Taigang) announced the company, which is the world’s largest stainless producer, increased its output from 1 million tons in 2005 to 3 million tons in 2006, becoming one of the top ten highlights in the Chinese steel industry in 2006. Besides, Taigang’s annual sales income will jump to 80 billion yuan or more.
“Taigang brand” has been awarded the most influential brand of Chinese stainless and Chinese Famous Brand. Its materials (17.6,0.63,3.71%) are being delivered to Europe and the USA.
Li Cheng, Deputy Chairman of Stainless Branch for Special Steel Producers Institute pointed out China’s output of special steel already reached to 10 million tons per year. As the largest producer, China will continue to make great contribution to the healthy development in the world stainless industry.
Taigang’s strategic target is to build the most competitive stainless producer in the world.

Shagang’s sales income top 58.7 billion yuan in 2006(2007/01/25)
In 2006, Shagang achieved sales income of 58.7 billion yuan, up 45% from last year and paid tax payment of 6.7 billion yuan, up 168%.
The group developed over 10 new types of sheets like STK490, STK440 and SS400 series, SPHT1, HSLA-A and JR series as well as X70 together with University of Science and Technology Beijing and Central Iron and Steel Research Institute. The success in development of X60 and X70 suggested a step toward direction of high-end hot rolled sheet. In 2006, Shagang’s rebar entered emerging markets such as Middle East.
The Group earned foreign exchange of $802 million, up 11.08% and ranked the third among the domestic steel producers.
It has launched a series of projects since last year. Its super wide plate project is the second largest one in the country next to Baosteel and heavy rod rolling line is one of the few projects in the country that are in a position to produce materials with diameter more than 45mm.

Jiyuan Iron and Steel realized sales income more than 5.0 billion Yuan（2007/01/24）
In 2006, though facing the macro adjustment from the government and fierce market competing and other disadvantage factors, Jiyuan Iron and Steel (Group) Company Ltd realized sales income more than 5.0 billion Yuan, increasing 19% from that of 2005; and revenue and profits 530 million Yuan, up 55.8%, by firmly boosting the policy of “focusing on management of production and performance, and developing the company scale”. Besides, the company made good effect by improving the product mix and developing cycling economy.

Angang 1,780 cold rolling project won first prize of National Science & Technology Progress Award（2007/01/24）
During the routine meeting of State Council on 17th Jan managed by premier minister, Wen Jiabao, the projects that win National Science & Technology Award were identified, among which “Angang’s domestic self-integration and innovation of equipments and technology for 1,780 mm large wide strip cold rolling production line ” recommended by China Iron and Steel Association won first prize of National Science & Technology Progress Award.
Before this, Anshan Iron and Steel Company’s self-developed “poor hematite (magnetite) concentrating technology, new medicament and new equipment research and industrial application” and “1,700 medium sheet billets continuous casting and rolling (APS) production technology” won successively the second prizes of National Science & Technology Progress Award.

Baogang Group achieved highest one for output（2007/01/23）
In 2006, Baogang Group achieved highest ones for the production of both steel and pig iron, turned in tax payment of nearly 2.5 billion yuan, consumed standard coal of 776 kg per ton, 41kg lower than that consumed in 2005.
The company produced pig iron of 7.38 million tons, up 7.7%, crude steel of 7.48 million tons and hot rolled sheet/coil of 2.8654 million tons, maintaining its leading position for its CSP mill among the counterparts worldwide.
In 2006, Baogang took part in the development of 14 mines in Australia together with Australia’s CML. The group also imported 120,000 tons of ore and 550,000 tons of raw coal from Mongolia.

Liugang set production and performance targets for 2007(2007/01/22)
According to the news from Liugang, the company has set production and performance targets for 2007 as follows: no serious safety misadventure; increase production and decrease pollution, no industry wastewater let-out; produce 5.55 million tons of iron, 6.00 million tons of steel and 6.25 million tons of finished steel; realize sales income 23.0 billion Yuan (including 1.8 billion Yuan from non steel sector), profits and revenue 2.3 billion Yuan and profit 1.1 billion Yuan; complete 2.0 billion Yuan of investment on technology improving; and increase the workers’ income.

Fujian No.3 Steel achieved profit of 700 million yuan ahead of schedule(2007/01/22)
Despite prices of imported ore soared and steel prices lowered by 220 yuan per yuan, Fujian No.3 Steel produced steel of 3.18 million tons and achieved profit of over 700 million yuan in 2006, its production cost lowered by 12.77% in comparison with 2005.
In 2006, the company made breakthrough in melting new products and rolling while reducing energy consumption. In addition to 65# steel and ML08AL steel, it recently aimed to develop 15Mn3 anchor chain steel, SWRCH18A, SERCH22A and SWRCH35A steel for high strength fastener. The company sold grade III rebar of 450,000 tons, draw bench of 370,000 tons and metal products of 180,000 tons in 2006. Price of grade III rebar is 100 yuan per ton higher than that of grade II and average prices of metal products are 219 yuan higher than those of other products. Therefore, No.3 steel has gained several ten millions yuan from new products development.

Zhu Jimin said that the regional limitation would not impact Shougang’s movement（2007/01/19）
According to a report from Science and Technology Daily on 15th Jan 2007, State Environment Protection Administration forces the construction of these projects to stop, which seriously ruins the laws for environment protection and “three-meanwhiles” system (environment protection facility design, construction and operation at the same time with the main equipment), and for the first time practises the regional limitation policy, which means to stop giving approval to all the projects of the company, the area or the industry (except the cycling economy projects) until the environment impolitely projects being corrected. Zhu Jimin, general manager of Shougang, said: “This means the government will focus on industry adjustment through powerful measures, and lift up the environment quality.
Though Tangshan and Luliang both seriously break the laws for environment protection and “three-meanwhiles” system, Shougang’s movement to Caofeidian, Tangshan in 2010, doesn’t mean a simple transferring of plants and equipments, but is to construct a new plant of high technology, high profiting ability and with less energy consumed and more environment politeness, therefore form a high grade plate and sheet production base of world advanced level and a model for new cycling economy and self innovation. Now that the industry and environment protection have entered new developing era, “regional limitation” system will not impact the movement, but is a signal showing that the country will support to construct high technology and modern steel plants.
According to Zhu Jimin, from 2005, Shougang has invested 205 million Yuan on environment improving. Compared with 2004, the flue dust, dust, and sulfur dioxide let-out decreased by 14.83%, 14.68% and 4.23%; the recycling ratio of water increased, with prime water consumed per ton steel down to 3.8 cube meters, reaching the leading level in the world. Now the electricity used by facilities for environment protection upped to 30% of the whole, and the cost to nearly 50 Yuan per ton steel.

Jianlong Steel signed strategic agreement with Taiyuan Heavy Machine and others（2007/01/19）
Jianlong Iron and Steel signed strategic agreement with Taiyuan Heavy Machine Group Co., Ltd. (Taiyuan Heavy), Xian Shangu Dynamics Co., Ltd. (Shangu) and Qinhuangdao Metallurgical Machine Co. Ltd. (Qinye) at Beijing on January 15, 2007.
Taiyuan Heavy is a designed production base of large crane, rolling mill and grab. Shangu, as one of top 500 in machine industry, is a large national backbone enterprise leading in the manufacture of wind machine. Qinye is a supplier of large plants in steel and metal industry to mainly produce valves of blast furnace, roof equipment, metallurgical vehicles and dry coking facilities. As important plant suppliers, Taiyuan Heavy, Shangu and Qinye have kept long-term relationship with Jianlong that, as a large steel maker, had substantial and steady demand for metal plants.
　

Shigang realized profits 253 million Yuan in 2006(2007/01/18)
According to data from Shijiazhuang Iron and Steel Company Ltd, the company realized profits 253 million Yuan in 2006, up 126.4% from that of 2005, though the steel output declined by 4.7% with the same comparison, as the company increased the investment on technology developing and boosted the product mix improving.
In 2006, Shigang exported 242,000 tons of steel products in total, making a foreign exchange of 108 million US dollars, up 83.3% and 54.2% respectively from those of 2005; realized income 527 million Yuan, profits 253 million Yuan, up 33.4% and 126.4% respectively. Except the steel output and sales income decreased due to product mix altering, all others made new records.

Baosteel Buys 85 % Stake in Xinjiang Steel Maker(2007/01/18)
The Shanghai-based Baosteel, China's largest steel maker, has invested 3 billion yuan in a 85 percent share of the largest steel maker in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Baosteel signed the contract with Xinjiang Bayi Iron & Steel Co. Ltd on Tuesday in Urumqi.
"The unique geographical position of Xinjiang and its market ties with central Asian countries is a key reason for Baosteel to travel thousands of miles to cooperate with the company," said Xu Lejiang, CEO of Baosteel.
Baosteel is one of the most profitable steel enterprises in the world with an annual production capacity of over 20 million tons. It ranked 296th on the 2006 list of Fortune 500.
Xinjiang Bayi Iron & Steel Co. Ltd was built in 1951 and had an output of 2.84 million tons of steel in 2005.
In order to improve their status on the international stage, merger-and-acquisition strategies have become common among China's steel companies.
Tangshan Iron and Steel Company, located in the northern Hebei Province, rose to be China's second largest steel producer behind Baosteel by taking over two local steel companies, Xuanhua Steel and Chengde Steel.
The new company has also teamed up with the Shougang Group in Beijing to build a new production base in Caofeidian in Hebei Province with an annual output capacity of 15 million tons.
Baosteel also plans to set up a plant in south China's coastal Zhanjiang city with a production capacity of 10 million tons a year. It has also built strategic relations with two steel giants Magang Group and Taiyuan Iron&Steel Group.
"A lack of big enterprises has created a bottleneck in China's steel industry," said Luo Bingsheng, deputy director of China Iron &Steel Association.
China currently has over 6,600 steel producers. The steel output of the four largest steel makers in China only accounts for 18.5 percent of the total. The figure is 75 percent in Japan and 61 percent in the United States.
China plans to establish two to three steel conglomerates with an annual production of over 30 million tons each by 2010, according to the steel industry policy issued by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2005.
It also expects the top 10 domestic steel companies to control more than half of the country's total steel output by then.
Baosteel Appoints New Heads
Xu Lejiang has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of directors of Shanghai Baosteel Group Corporation, and Ai Baojun has been named as its new president, the company said Tuesday.
The appointment was made by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, the company said in a statement posted on its website.
The appointment was announced by Wang Dongming, deputy head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, at a meeting held in the company's headquarters in Shanghai on Monday, the statement said.
Xu, 48, joined Baosteel in 1982 and was appointed board director and vice president of the company in 1998. He has served as Baosteel's president since December 2004 and chairman of the board of directors for Baoshan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd., the listed unit of Baosteel, since May last year, according to the company's website.
Ai, 47, joined Baosteel in 1994 and worked as vice president and chief accountant for the company between 1998 and 2000. He served as board director of Baosteel from 1998 through 2005. He has been working as board director and president of Baoshan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. since February 2000.
Xu replaced 64-year-old Xie Qihua, who stepped down due to her age, the statement said.
Xie joined Baosteel in 1978 and was appointed as president of the company in 1994. She has served as chairwoman of the board of directors for the company since 2003. Currently, Xie is president of the China Iron and Steel Association.
"Xie has made significant contributions to Baosteel and China's iron and steel industry with her decades of years of diligent work and rich experience in business management," Wang told Monday's meeting.
Known as the "Iron Lady" of the iron and steel industry at both home and abroad, Xie led Baosteel into the list of Fortune 500 companies for three years in a row from 2004 to 2006.
Baosteel is one of the biggest global steel conglomerates with an annual production capacity of 20 million tons. It ranked 296th on the 2006 list of Fortune 500 companies with sales revenue of 126.6 billion yuan (US$16.2 billion) and was top of a list of China's 500 largest manufacturers.

Shougang conducted world’s largest sea-filling project for its relocation(2007/01/18)
Shougang’s relocation project processed smoothly and the company has besieged sea area of 16.27 square kilometers for land use, which is the largest single sea-filling project in the world.
Shougang’s No.2 coking oven officially blew off on May 9, 2006, the first phase of an ore dock for berthing 250,000 dwt vessel put on stream and construction work of Qiancao railway has basically completed.
Installation of steel posts in the main workshop and crane beam has fully completed for its cold rolled sheet project that had been approved by the State Council. By the end of 2006, redundant employees reduced by 4,000.

Pangang’s rail production and export broke records in 2006（2007/01/17）
In 2006, New Steel and Vanadium produced rail of 702,000 tons and sold 703,000 tons, including 100,000 tons plus for export.
With the completion of the III phase technology updating, capacity of universal beam and rail line was on the rise, which gave the company higher expectation for the project. In 2006, Angang is expected to produce rail of 700,000 tons for the first time, strengthening its position as the largest rail production base in the country.
In export market, the company kept traditional market share in Southeast Asia while made breakthrough in other overseas market with export beyond 100,000 tons for the whole year for the first time.

Hangang produced 21.65 million tons of crude steel in 2006(2007/01/11)
In 2006, Hangang Group produced 7.92 million tons of steel, 6.04 million tons of iron and 7.69 million tons of finished steel, 21.65 million tons in total, increasing 8%, 12.2% and 10.4% respectively from those of 2005.
According to the market situation and the changes in inter condition, the group made decisions to focusing on decreasing the costs and increasing the profits at the beginning, and to increase the ratio of high value-added and high technology plate and sheet production in order to make profits from high grade materials, when facing a situation that the prices for imported iron ores keeps on climbing and those for steel continues to decline. As a result, the group’s performance results maintained at a high level.
In 2006, the group produced 5.65 million tons of plate and sheet, with the production ratio rising to 73.6%; and the composite energy consumed per ton declined by 25.4 kg from that of 2005, saving 137 million Yuan; while add cold rolling facilities, the raw water consumed per ton steel decreased from 6.09 cube meters to 4.91 cube meters, saving more than 10 million Yuan in total in 2006. The comparable costs in 2006 declined by 2.25 billion Yuan (14%) from that of 2005, making a new record. Though the average sale price for steel declined by 330 Yuan per ton, with an increased output, the group realized profit 1.7 billion Yuan, up 17.2%.

Zhejiang Southeast Metalsheet’s 150,000 tons hot dipped galvanizing line launched operation2007/01/10)
On 30th Dec 2006, the hot galvanizing line of Zhejiang Southeast Metalsheet Company Ltd succeeded in the first hot commissioning, and experts said that the quality of the products, which are highly approved by consumers, meet the targets set before. Now the company received many orders.
The production line introduces the most advanced technology in the world, and adopts Siemens control system, with a design speed of 120m per minute at max, and capacity of 150,000 tons per year. The hot rolled coils, supplied by Baosteel and Meigang and so on, will be rolled into sheet by CVC-6 two-stand roller introduced from Germany, which has a capacity of 500,000 tons per year. The company can produce straightened, or oiled, or passivated high quality galvanized and fingerprint-proof sheets, with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm, a maximum width of 1,350mm and zinc content of 80 to 275 g/m2, basing on users’ requirement.

Shougang set sales target of 93 billion yuan in 20072007/01/10)
Shougang set operation target for 2007 to achieve sales income of 93 billion yuan, profits of 1.8 billion yuan, sheet and strip ratio up to 37.7%, assets growth rate of 103.3%, sales income of entire labor productivity of 1.26 million yuan per capita per year and enhance annual salary of 6% for employees on the post.
During 2007-08, Shougang will tackle a series of complicated issues. The first is to overcome difficulties in mastering sheet production technology and curbing 4 million tons capacity in Beijing area during 2007-08. The second is to face challenges of full stop production of steel making in Beijing, completion and coming into operation of Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel as well as fulfillment of adjustment and development in non-steel industry in 2010.

Top ten news about Baosteel for 2006(2007/01/09)
1. Baosteel ranked No. 296 among the world’s top 500.
2. Baosteel achieved great breakthrough in the development and production of auto sheet.
3. Baosteel brought forward new round of technology innovation stratagem and held the 2nd Baosteel Academy Annual Meeting.
4. Baosteel Co., Ltd. won the national title of environmentally friendly enterprise.
5. Baosteel made progress in the establishment of the party and “four-good” leadership.
6. On behalf of China’s steel producers, Baosteel became a price setter in the negotiation of iron ore price in the international market.
7. Board of Directors at Baosteel Co., Ltd. conducted election and released equity incentive plan.
Baosteel branch completed overhaul for No.2 blast furnace, which was marked the shortest period in the country for the similar project.
9. Baosteel successfully test produced X120 pipeline steel.
10. Baosteel formed strategic alliance with Xinjiang Bagang.

Major events for Jiugang in 2006(2007/01/09)
　　First, the production of iron, steel and finished steel all topped 6.00 million tons, and the sales income reached 20.0 billion Yuan; the products entered Europe, America and Arab markets.
　　Second, the company became a national grade research center for iron and steel products.
　　Third, the projects for stainless steel melting and 2.00 million tons hot rolled sheet continuous casting and rolling launched operation in succession, and therefore the product mix, equipment technology and competing ability were lifted up.
　 Forth, the ERP system launched operation on 1st April, marked the management entered a new level.

Tanggang signs medium long-term strategic cooperation frame agreement with Shanxi Coking Coal(2007/01/05)
Du Fuxin, general manager from Shanxi Coking Coal, appreciated the cooperation between the two companies since long time ago, and hoped to further strengthen and widen the relation to realize both-win. Wang Tianyi, board chairman of Tanggang Group, said that signing the agreement will form a long term and steady cooperation relation between the two companies, and hoped both to expand the cooperation in order to lift the ability to bear risks in market and bring more profits for both.
Shanxi Coking Coal Group is the largest coking coal producer in China at present with the most completed species of coal types and good product quality. The group has formed a steady and long term supply relation with three subsidiaries of Tanggang, and this is the first medium long term coal supply contract signed with newly reformed Tanggang Group. The agreement will ease the lack of coal in Tanggang, steady the medium long term coal supply and deepen the influence among suppliers in Shanxi Province, and therefore secure fuel supply for the further expansion.

Bagang 1750mm HR project entered the phase of being checked and accepted(2007/01/05)
With signing examination certificate of an ABB main driving device on December 19 2006, Bagang’s 1750mm HR project entered the phase of being checked and accepted, which will last from January to February of 2007.
As of December 20, Bagang 1750mm HR sheet plant produced about 290,000 tons of merchant hot rolled coils, of which 11,500 tons produced in August; 28,923 tons in September; 68,818 tons in October; 98,065 tons in November and 82,350 tons in the first 20 days of December.
The project adopted L1/L2/L3 full automatic rolling process, capable of substantially and steadily producing materials with thick of 2.3-14mm and wide of maximum 1600 mm.

Shougang to Join Forces with CVRD of Brazil(2007/01/05)
Shougang Group, China's fifth-biggest steel mill, plans to join forces with Brazilian iron ore provider CVRD to ship ore to its new North China base.
The two parties have held preliminary talks on forming a joint venture to ship iron ore from Brazil to Shougang's new plant, which is being constructed in Caofeidian in Bohai Bay, Chen Hanyu, an official from the Beijing-based company, told China Daily.
Shougang is also considering building an iron ore pelletizing plant with CVRD in Caofeidian, Hebei Province, to supply the new plant, Chen said.
The new plant will be completed in 2008. It will have an annual production capacity of 8 million tons, but could be expanded to 20 million tons a year in the future.
Chen would not reveal how much Shougang could spend on the possible partnership with CVRD.
"The move is designed to cut freight costs to offset mounting iron ore prices and secure a stable supply," he said.
He said the joint venture's planned iron ore fleet would consist of vessels with a loading capacity of at least 300,000 tons each, up from the less than 200,000 tons of ships Shougang currently uses, which will help the company slash freight costs by almost half.
All the ore needed for the new Caofeidian plant, which will include a deepwater wharf, will come from abroad, mainly from Australia and Brazil, he added.
Liu Shuiyang, vice-president of Shougang, last month said the company would import 15 million tons of iron ore this year, up from an estimated 12.5 million tons last year.
Iron ore prices have been climbing rapidly in recent years mainly boosted by strong demand from China, the world's biggest iron ore consumer and importer.
Baosteel, China's top steel group, on behalf of more than 100 major steel firms in the country, last month agreed on a 9.5 percent increase in iron ore prices for 2007 with the world's three largest suppliers CVRD and Australia's BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.
The increase came after a 19 percent rise in 2006 and a massive 71.5 percent hike in 2005.
The China Iron & Steel Association last month estimated the nation's 2006 iron ore imports would reach 325 million tons, up 18.2 percent from the previous year. It predicted imports this year would rise by 30 million tons, or 9.2 percent.
Tian Shuhua, a steel industry analyst from China Galaxy Securities Co Ltd, said: "Freight accounts for the bulk of iron ore's CIF (cost, insurance and freight) prices for Chinese steel mills, which have been violently fluctuating in recent years."
"Shougang's partnership with CVRD will enable it to control price risks and obtain a reliable iron ore supply," Tian said.
Freight now represents more than one-third of average CIF prices of iron ore for Chinese steel mills which now stay at about $64 per ton.
Shougang's Liu said last month the company plans to double steel production from the level of 2005 to 20 million tons a year by 2010.
The company currently has a combined production capacity of 13 million tons in Beijing and Hebei.
It is moving most of its facilities from Beijing to Hebei as part of the government's efforts to alleviate pollution in the city, which will host the 2008 Olympics.
CVRD, which controls one-third of global iron ore seaborne trade, is beefing up efforts to explore the market in China.

Angang continues its first place in container grade plate production in 2006(2007/01/04)
According to the figures from Angang Group Company’s marketing department, Angang makes a hike in pipe line steel sale and the container grade plate production ranks the first in the world again and weatherin