Established in 1905, Bensteel Group, located in northeast China's Liaoning Province, holds the distinction of being the first large-scale steel enterprise to resume production since the founding of the People's Republic of China. With diversified businesses spanning equipment manufacturing and engineering technology development, Bensteel has long been a pillar of the region's industrial landscape.
Through restructuring with major Chinese steelmaker Ansteel in 2021, Bensteel has been revitalized from a traditional manufacturer into a smart factory. This transformation showcases the new vitality brought about by industrial upgrades, contributing \"steel strength\" to Chinese modernization.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of this modernization during his visit to a Bensteel facility on Thursday. \"The steel industry is an important basic industry of the country, and the real economy is the foundation of the national economy,\" Xi stated. He underscored that the manufacturing industry should adhere to the direction of being high-end, intelligent, and green.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour to Liaoning from Wednesday to Friday ahead of the Spring Festival, which falls on January 29 this year.
Developing New Quality Productive Forces
For a long time, the dispersed layout and low industrial concentration of China's steel industry have been among the main obstacles affecting its efficient operation and healthy development.
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), China's steel sector deepened supply-side structural reforms, achieved a more reasonable industrial structure, and made positive progress in green development, intelligent manufacturing, and international cooperation.
In 2022, Chinese authorities issued a guideline on promoting the high-quality development of the iron and steel industry, aiming to achieve a significant improvement in industrial agglomeration and an increase in the concentration of the steel industry by 2025.
After industrial transformation and upgrade, Bensteel's research and development and sales of car plates are in a favorable position in China, forming a product line of more than 60 categories and over 7,500 specifications. Its technology and equipment have reached world-leading levels.
Noting that Liaoning has a relatively complete industrial system, Xi called on the province to coordinate the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries and the cultivation and expansion of strategic emerging industries to accelerate the building of a modern industrial system.
He urged efforts to focus on strengthening the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions.
Reference(s):
NE China builds modern industrial system for full revitalization
cgtn.com
