It is reported that Mr Zhang Xiaogang president of Anshan Iron and Steel will become head of World Steel Association for a one year term on Thursday at the conclusion of its annual meeting in Paris.
Although the position is part time, Mr Zhang will be expected to represent the global steel industry in, for example, talks with governments over efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from steel plants.
The appointment underlines the increasing influence of China in global industry.
The WSA is a Brussels-based organisation that represents 170 steel producers, which it says account for 85% of world steel output.
Anshan in China is not regarded as being particularly large. The company dates from 1916 making it one of the country’s longest established industrial enterprises. However in recent years it has lost ground to other steelmakers in China in terms of size . Anshan’s 22 million tonnes of steel output in 2010 was sufficient only to put it in number seven slot in Chinese industry by production volumes making it number 13 in the world.
Sourced from CNBC-TV & FT
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