China's iron and steel industry maintained steady operation in the first five months of this year, posting stable growth and showing signs of ongoing structural optimization, according to industry data.
During the Jan-May period, the country's major steel enterprises produced 355 million tons of crude steel, maintaining levels similar to the same period last year. They also produced 314 million tons of pig iron and 352 million tons of steel products, with year-on-year increases of 0.3 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively, according to the China Iron and Steel Association.
China's steel exports also saw significant growth in the same period, with net crude steel exports exceeding 50 million tons, an increase of 8.79 million tons over the same period last year.
At a steel trading company in Beijing, demand for common industrial steel is evident as trucks form lines waiting to load up with the commodity.
"These are called galvanized square tubes, industrial materials utilized for industrial manufacturing. After purchasing, customers process them into mechanical equipment parts," said Zhou Jianhua, head of the company.
The company used to specialize in construction steel materials, but there has been a significant rise in the shipment volume of industrial steel in recent years.
"The company's overall sales volume has increased by about 12 percent this year, with the primary source of this growth coming from industrial materials, mostly purchased by customers in machinery manufacturing or manufacturing industries undergoing a green transformation," Zhou said.
His company is not alone. According to industry insiders, China's steel consumption structure is experiencing a significant transformation, with the share of industrial steel continuing to increase while the share of construction steel declining.
Last year, the distribution between the two was roughly equal, but the proportion of industrial steel is expected to increase further in the future.
China's steel industry maintains steady operation in Jan-May: data
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
