China posts 23.7% increase in steel output
An official from the China's Economic Operation Bureau under the State Development and Reform Commission disclosed that China's steel production rose 23.7% to 77.7 million tons in the first quarter of 2005. Iron output also rose 27.3% to 72.6 million tons in the first three months of 2005 while rolled steel production increased 22.4% to 82.5 million tons. The total steel production is expected to reach 322 million tons this year, nearly 18.4% more than 2004.