The China Iron and Steel Association calls on the steel industry to comprehensively carry out self-disciplined production control and inventory reduction.

On September 15, 2026, the China Iron and Steel Association issued a proposal for the steel industry to comprehensively carry out self-disciplined production control and inventory reduction: At present, China's steel industry has a solid foundation for development and is at an advanced level within China's industrial sectors and the world steel industry in terms of product quality, equipment level, manufacturing capability, environmental governance, green and low-carbon development, process technology, and asset quality. However, from the perspective of development stage, China's steel industry has gradually moved from the "incremental development" stage into the "reduction and optimization" stage; especially since 2026, industry operations have shown the characteristics of "strong supply, weak demand, low prices, weak profits." Domestic steel demand has continued its weakening trend, and social inventories and steel enterprise inventories are at relatively high levels in recent years, leading to volatile downward steel prices, a sharp decline in profits from the main steel business, and greater pressure on enterprise production and operations. The problem lies on the demand side, and the fundamental way out of the dilemma lies on the steel supply side. Here, we propose: First, strictly implement output regulation. Output regulation is the most effective measure for responding to the current predicament of the steel industry and an important measure for promoting the high-quality development of the steel industry. To this end, the entire industry must effectively raise its political stance, strengthen its awareness of the overall situation, start with itself, resolutely implement output regulation requirements, condemn overproduction, and ensure the completion of the full-year target. Second, adhere to self-disciplined production control and inventory reduction. Steel enterprises should take the initiative, deeply practice the "three fixed and three do not" operating principle, adhere to giving priority to efficiency, and organize production according to market demand; adhere to self-disciplined production control and inventory reduction, fully give play to the role of steel enterprises as market entities, reduce high inventories as soon as possible, and jointly promote the dynamic balance of supply and demand. Third, fully give play to the role of the industry's price supervisors. On the one hand, steel enterprises should resolutely resist the behavior of competing for market share at low prices below cost and consciously regulate market behavior; on the other hand, fully give play to the supervisory role of industry price supervisors, with leading enterprises playing a good exemplary and leading role and small and medium-sized enterprises coordinating and linking up well, jointly maintaining market stability and promoting the steel industry to achieve a good start for the "15th Five-Year Plan." Joint initiating units of the proposal: