China Continues to Rely on Import in Stainless Steel Supply

Li Cheng, executive chairman of the Stainless Steel Council of China Special Steel Enterprises Association (SSC-CSSEA), said on Wednesday that it would take several years for China to become independent in stainless steel supply. He indicated that the import of stainless steel would continue to exceed the domestic production of that in China. He dismissed the concern about so-called the problem in 2006 that Chinese oversupply of stainless steel might impact surrounding countries including Japan and Korea. Mr. Li also pointed out that Chinese government plans not to increase the number of domestic stainless steel makers any more. And he showed the view that the selection of small- and medium-sized makers would occur in China due to the output expansion by major makers. Mr. Li said it was not good that production is larger than demand in China. However, he told that stainless production in China was below demand now and emphasized China has been raising the rate of self-sufficiency of stainless steel by the ability reinforcement. Although the Chinese government had promoted the production increase of stainless steel for the past ten years, Mr. Li said that it changes the attitude at least now and he told that it has converted into the plan which does not accept a new maker’s entry.