On May 1, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the workers at Beijing-based steelmaker Shougang's construction site on Caofeidian Island. During his visit on the first day of China's week-long Labor Day holiday, the premier indicated that the Chinese steel industry required further competitive strength despite its huge production capacity.
The premier said that the new factory of Shougang on Caoefidian Island should be a superior steel base with first-class products, technology and environmental conditions.
The government had decided to move Shougang away from the capital city due to the pollution created by the mill. The transfer of Shougang to Caofeidian is planned to be completed before the 2008 Olympic Games begin, with all facilities expected to come on stream before 2010.
The Chinese premier's visit to the construction site on the first day of the holiday is evidence of the importance attached by the Beijing government to the new industrial zone on Caofeidian.