Satoshi Murata: progressing with China’s steel industry

The 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held in December, 1978, marked the beginning of the reform and opening up policy in China. It was also in that December that Baosteel came into being, signifying China’s modernization. It was not a historical coincidence but an integral part of the new policy. In 2016, Baosteel, as old as the process of reform and opening up, merged with Wusteel into Baowu group, which is now the second largest steel producer in the world.

(Construction of Baosteel)

Baosteel is not only the epitome of reform and opening up but also an example of Sino-Japanese cooperation. Nippon Steel& Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC) is a key part of this story.