China's plate prices retain strength in 2007 due to various factors

China's steel market has experienced a sharp fluctuation since mid-May. The price index of domestic flat rolled products (including hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized and sheets, coils and plates) was at 116.71 points at the end of March, according to the steel index issued by the China Iron & Steel Association (CISA). However, the index had dropped by 0.96 points to 115.75 points by the end of June, which can be considered a big slump. Meanwhile, the plate price index was at 126.59 points at the end of March, increasing by 4.7 points to 131.29 points by the end of June. Despite the overall decline in flat rolled products, plates managed to achieve an impressive increase with an extraordinary, strong performance. This increase was beyond the expectations of the steel industry and all market players. What was the reason behind this phenomenon? You can find the answers at: http://www.steelorbis.cn/hang-ye-dong-tai/.