China's major steelmakers have showed stronger production capabilities in August, thanks to stabilized key raw material prices, an industry expert said on Tuesday.
Fu Jing, director of the Metallurgical Industry Information Center, made the remarks on the latest data of steel production in August during an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing. According to the latest data released by the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), major surveyed steel enterprises produced an average of 1.973 million tonnes of crude steel per day in the first 10 days of August, up 5.8 percent from the previous period.
The daily production of pig iron also experienced a synchronized upward trend, said the CISA.
"Due to high temperatures and rainfalls in summer, downstream demand for construction-related steel has remained relatively weak. Manufacturing steel demand has become more uneven across sectors. However, prices of raw materials, such as iron ore and coke, have structurally stabilized this month. So, the willingness of our steel production enterprises to produce has rebounded," said Fu.
The recovery was also supported by blast furnaces returning to active production after maintenance, directly driving up output of both crude steel and pig iron month on month, she added.
China’s steel output rises as raw material prices stabilize: expert
Officials and community representatives have expressed strong confidence that Macao's new five-year plan (2026-2030) for economic and social development will effectively leverage the special administrative region's advantages to advance the cause of "one country, two systems" and better integrate into and serve China's overall development.
The plan, released by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government on Tuesday, sets out eight development goals. It serves as a comprehensive roadmap for Macao's next phase of growth, aligning closely with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) adopted by the National People's Congress in March.
"The Third Five-Year Plan is based on in-depth study and research into the new arrangements, new policies, new directions, key projects, and major initiatives of the national 15th Five-Year Plan and also considers the actual conditions and development needs of Macao and the Hengqin Cooperation Zone to identify Macao's strategic focus areas that leverage Macao's unique strengths and capabilities to meet national requirements and fully align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan," said Cheong Chok Man, director of the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau of the Macao SAR.
Community leaders from various sectors have praised the plan's participatory drafting process and its ambitious yet pragmatic vision for the city's future. "The government has fully absorbed public opinion during the planning stage. This plan is not only the government's agenda but truly belongs to all sectors of society. It is designed to better harness the synergy between an effective market and a capable government. I believe the entire society would work together to advance the high-quality development of the 'one country, two systems' practice with Macao characteristics and better integrate into the nation's overall development," said Tong Kai Chung, dean of the Macao Institute of Management and a member of the SAR's sixth-term Executive Council. "The Third Five-Year Plan has drawn a new blueprint for Macao's future and provided clearer direction for our youth. The plan specifically emphasizes 'supporting youth growth and development.' What young people need most are opportunities and platforms. We believe that in the coming years, Macao's youth will find greater prospects in emerging fields such as technological innovation, the digital economy, cultural tourism, and convention and exhibitions," said Wong Chi Choi, chairman of the Macao New Youth Association.
The plan underscores the SAR government's commitment to promoting moderate economic diversification and strengthening Macao's role as a bridge connecting China with Portuguese-speaking countries and the broader global community.
Macao's sectors vow concerted efforts to usher in new era of high-quality development
