BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's steel industry showed steady operation in the first three quarters, which had not been seen in years, but challenges such as relatively high debt ratio still remained, according to data from China Iron and Steel Industry Association (CISA).
Data from the CISA show that during the period , output of pig iron, crude steel and steel were 579 million tonnes, 699 million tonnes and 821 million tonnes, up 1.19 percent, 6.07 percent and 7.21 percent, respectively.
Steel prices remained within a reasonable range in the first three quarters. Since the beginning of this year, the composite steel price index (CSPI) compiled by CISA has fluctuated between 110 and 120 points. At the end of September, the index was 121.64 points, up 6.87 percent year on year.
The market order for iron ore was improved during the period. From January to September, China imported 800 million tonnes of iron ore, down 1.6 percent year on year, with an amount of 55.8 billion U.S. dollars, down 5.4 percent.
CISA secretary-general Liu Zhenjiang pointed out that the steel industry should pay special attention to the market changes in the fourth quarter, and investigate the structural changes in demand of next year, especially the demand of bulk stocks, so as to deal with challenges promptly. (Edited by Li Wenxin, Yang Qi, liwenxin@xinhua.org)
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