"High-quality development is a long and arduous journey—full of challenges, yet brimming with opportunities."
　　“Today is the day for us to strengthen our steel industry—especially in the current special circumstances, where demand is weak, self-discipline is lacking, and profitability remains poor, making this even more relevant and urgent.”
　　"In the future, we will focus on high-quality development, enhancing both our 'appearance' and 'character,' driving innovation for progress, and elevating our value."
　　…………
　　On the morning of July 23, the High-Quality Development Promotion Conference for Aosen Steel was held in Beijing. Leaders, guests, and representatives from government, industry, academia, research institutions, and the media gathered together to brainstorm and contribute ideas toward Aosen Steel’s path of high-quality growth.

The photo shows the conference venue.

　　Qiao Longde, former Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, as well as former President and Party Secretary of the China Building Materials Federation; Jiang Wei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the China Iron and Steel Association; Tian Jun, Secretary of the Xinji Municipal Party Committee; and Cao Yuebin, Chairman of Xinji Aosen Steel Group Co., Ltd., delivered speeches at the event. Also in attendance were Su Changyong, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Iron and Steel Association, and Party Secretary & Editor-in-Chief of Metallurgical Industry Press; Chen Yuqian, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Iron and Steel Association, and Party Secretary & Editor-in-Chief of China Metallurgical News; Feng Chao, Party Secretary and Director of the Research Center for Economic Development in the Metallurgical Industry; Dong Han, Chief Scientist of the 973 Program, Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Shanghai University, and PhD supervisor; Gao Junzhao, First-Level Inspector of the Hebei Provincial Development and Reform Commission; and Song Xiangdang, Deputy Director of the Hebei Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, who all shared their insights at the gathering. Additionally, Wang Dayong, a key consultant expert for Hebei Province’s 14th Five-Year Plan, Honorary Chairman of the Hebei Energy Conservation Association, and Advisor to the Hebei Metallurgical Industry Association—recognized as a vital facilitator and catalyst for driving this high-quality development conference—was specially invited to attend the event.

The photo shows Jiang Wei.

　　In his speech, Jiang Wei noted that since the beginning of this year, the steel market has been grappling with a challenging combination of factors: the complex and volatile global situation, sporadic domestic COVID-19 outbreaks, and disruptions in industrial and supply chains. As a result, the market has exhibited a "shrinking supply, weak demand, rising inventories, declining prices, persistently high costs, reduced revenues, and shrinking profits," placing significant pressure on companies' production and operations. High-quality development has become an essential expectation from governments, local authorities, and industry regulators—and it also represents the intrinsic drive of steel enterprises to break through and redefine their competitive edge amid today’s intricate and uncertain landscape. Moreover, this commitment is crucial for propelling the steel industry from its current position as a major player toward sustained strength and leadership. In April of this year, Ausen Steel joined forces with the Metallurgical Economic Research Center to collaboratively develop and study the "Ausen Steel High-Quality Development Plan." This initiative is both timely and critical, as the plan outlines key strategies such as building a "Green Ausen" and a "Smart Ausen"—visions that are already taking shape. These approaches represent the roadmap that every forward-thinking steelmaker must embrace right now, as they are indispensable for shaping the future of the industry. Faced with an existential crisis, pragmatism has emerged as the ultimate path forward. By bringing together leading consulting, publicity, publishing, and innovation organizations within the steel sector, Ausen Steel organized the Ausen Steel High-Quality Development Promotion Conference. This event underscores the company’s unwavering determination to tackle challenges head-on, execute tasks with precision, and achieve tangible results—while firmly maintaining a steady, strategic approach to long-term success.
　　Jiang Wei stated that, as a member unit of the China Iron and Steel Association, Ausen Steel has consistently fulfilled its membership obligations diligently, actively participating in industry initiatives, promptly submitting relevant data to the association, and providing robust support for all its activities. Notably, the company’s flagship product recently earned the prestigious "Gold Cup Award" for Physical Quality Certification of Metallurgical Products from the China Iron and Steel Association. Additionally, Ausen Steel has already completed the public announcement of its ultra-low emission clean transportation practices. Looking ahead, Jiang Wei offered several recommendations for Ausen Steel’s high-quality development: First, he emphasized that a company’s confidence fundamentally stems from its profitability. To achieve sustainable growth, high-quality development must enhance competitive market positioning, enabling businesses to thrive over the long term. This requires striking a balanced yet dynamic relationship among efficiency, quality, safety, and sustainability—particularly in navigating the interplay between low-carbon goals, environmental responsibility, and green innovation. Second, companies must focus on cultivating both internal and external strengths simultaneously. This means fostering a harmonious integration of soft power (e.g., brand reputation, customer service, and talent management) with hard power (such as technology, infrastructure, and operational excellence). By aligning products, services, human resources, markets, resources, governance, and safety systems, organizations can address their weaknesses while reinforcing their core advantages—a strategy that ensures holistic and sustained progress. Third, Ausen Steel should prioritize extending and strengthening its industrial chain. This involves optimizing its existing product portfolio and strategically expanding into adjacent or complementary areas, ensuring seamless integration across the value chain. Finally, and perhaps most crucially, any high-quality development plan must be translated into actionable, tangible tasks that are both practical and implementable. The process should revolve around continuous product upgrades, enhanced management practices, cutting-edge technological innovation, and a steadfast commitment to green, low-carbon principles. Leveraging smart manufacturing as a key driver, Ausen Steel must remain steadfast in pursuing these objectives over the long term, laying the foundation for enduring success in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

The photo shows Cao Yuebin.

　　In his speech, Cao Yuebin highlighted that Aosen Steel, established in 2002, has grown steadily—from a small-scale operation to a robust, large-scale integrated steel enterprise—thanks to the unwavering support from provincial and municipal leaders. Today, the group employs over 10,000 people. Over the past two decades, Aosen Steel has relentlessly pursued excellence, gradually establishing itself as a specialized hub for industrial wire products. Its product portfolio now spans dozens of steel grades, including steel for industrial drawing, construction applications, high-quality carbon structural steel, welding steel, and even prestressed steel strand—catering to diverse industry needs. The company boasts an impressive annual production capacity of 7 million tons of steel materials, along with 2.3 million tons of innovative building materials and 150,000 tons of insulation products. In 2021, Aosen Steel achieved an impressive revenue of 35.9 billion yuan and contributed 1.1 billion yuan in taxes to the local economy. To further bolster its strategic vision, Aosen Steel has embarked on a comprehensive strategic partnership with the Metallurgical Economic Research Center, a leading national think tank specializing in metallurgical industry development. Together, they have jointly developed the "Aosen Steel High-Quality Development Plan," which plays a crucial role in helping the company navigate critical challenges while ensuring alignment with evolving steel industry policies and steering the organization toward sustainable, high-quality growth. Firmly committed to the pursuit of high-quality development, Aosen Steel is currently undertaking significant organizational and managerial reforms. The company is actively planning production line and process upgrades aimed at enhancing both product quality and market positioning. At the same time, Aosen Steel remains dedicated to embracing green, low-carbon manufacturing practices, paving the way for a transformative shift—from a traditional, low-cost, volume-driven producer to a forward-thinking provider of premium-quality services, brands, and innovative solutions.
　　He stated that, with the care and support of governments and leaders at all levels, Ausen Steel has signed cooperation agreements with institutions such as the Metallurgical Industry Economic Development Research Center, Shanghai University, Metallurgical Industry Press, and China Metallurgical News. Under the framework of a high-quality development plan, these partnerships will foster comprehensive collaboration in areas including top-level design, product innovation, knowledge dissemination, and brand promotion. He expressed confidence that, backed by the strong support of national-level research institutions, Ausen Steel is poised to take flight, accelerating its progress and ushering in a new chapter of high-quality growth.

The photo shows Qiao Longde.

　　In his speech, Qiao Longde highlighted that the industrial sector currently faces shared challenges—namely, energy conservation and emission reduction, efficient resource allocation, and identifying new growth drivers amid severe overcapacity. He emphasized that the driving force behind overall economic and social development now lies in the integrated advancement of information technology and intelligent innovation. The traditional growth model, which relied heavily on scale and input-output efficiency, can no longer keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving trends. Instead, innovation has become essential for unlocking sustainable, high-quality development and providing its critical foundation. Over the past two decades, Aosen Steel has consistently adapted its product portfolio to meet market demands, resulting in steady growth in economic performance. The unwavering support from the local government has created an ideal environment for the company’s expansion, while the company’s leadership—a team characterized by diligence and pragmatism—has instilled both stability and robust growth potential into the organization. Today, Aosen Steel has successfully embraced a unique, five-in-one innovation model that seamlessly integrates government, industry, academia, research, and media. This forward-thinking approach not only addresses the company’s immediate needs for innovation and problem-solving but also positions it as a leader in driving cutting-edge advancements. Looking ahead, Qiao Longde expressed his hope that Aosen Steel will continue to explore and refine new opportunities, further advancing its commitment to high-quality development and achieving even greater success in the years to come.

The photo shows Tian Jun.

　　In his speech, Tian Jun highlighted that Xinji City is a municipality directly under the administration of Hebei Province. Over the past few years, the city has experienced rapid economic and social growth, with remarkable transformations in both urban and rural areas, and steadily improving living standards for its residents. As a result, Xinji boasts an excellent development environment and immense investment potential. Currently, Xinji City is vigorously implementing the "1253" Project, which aims to modernize not only its industrial system, innovation capabilities, and urban-rural integration but also its environmental protection efforts, spiritual civilization initiatives, and governance structures. The city is committed to achieving five key objectives of high quality: robust economic growth, balanced urban-rural development, a thriving ecological environment, effective social governance, and enhanced public welfare—paving the way for a new era of comprehensive, high-quality development as a modern, medium-sized city. Among these priorities, the city is placing particular emphasis on three flagship projects: building a National Modern Agriculture Demonstration Zone, establishing a National-level Economic Development Zone, and creating a National Comprehensive Bonded Area. These initiatives require leading enterprises like Aosen Steel to take the lead and set exemplary standards. To this end, the Xinji Municipal Party Committee and Government are fully committed to supporting Aosen Steel’s continued growth and development. Tian Jun also noted that the current downturn in the steel market, while challenging, presents a valuable opportunity for the industry. He encouraged Aosen Steel to seize this moment as a catalyst for advancing its high-quality development strategy, swiftly translating the outlined plans into action—particularly in areas such as high-quality development planning and innovative product launches. By maximizing output efficiency without expanding scale or production capacity, Aosen Steel can turn adversity into advantage, driving the company toward transformative upgrades and ultimately contributing to Xinji City’s broader goal of achieving high-quality, sustainable economic and social progress.

The photo shows Su Changyong.

　　In his speech, Su Changyong shared insights and suggestions for Ausen Steel’s high-quality development: First, prioritize standardized growth across key areas—including industry practices, environmental protection, safety, low-carbon initiatives, and quality assurance. Second, maintain a competitive yet balanced corporate scale by accelerating mergers and acquisitions, striving to position the company at the forefront of both domestic and provincial industries in terms of size and equipment capabilities. Third, drive further cost reduction and efficiency improvements across the entire system. This includes strengthening the company’s supply chain for critical resources like iron ore and coking coal, optimizing smelting processes to cut costs while boosting productivity, and expanding into adjacent segments of the steel value chain. Fourth, from the perspective of society-wide carbon reduction efforts, steel isn’t the problem—it’s part of the solution. Finally, emphasize both substance and reputation. Companies should invest in robust communication strategies and organizational culture-building, fostering an environment that exudes intellectual refinement and sophistication. He also highlighted that Metallurgical Industry Press is committed to solidifying practical collaboration with Ausen Steel in areas such as academic publishing, professional reading programs, employee training, and information consulting. Together, these efforts will help enhance Ausen Steel’s brand image, amplify its influence, and support the company in swiftly achieving its ambitious vision: becoming a leading, comprehensive, large-scale enterprise group renowned for its strong brand presence and unparalleled core competitiveness.

The photo features Chen Yuqian.

　　Chen Yuqian stated during his speech that Aosen Steel is an enterprise worthy of admiration, ranking among China's Top 500 Manufacturers, the Top 100 Enterprises in Hebei Province, and a High-Tech Enterprise. Focusing exclusively on the wire rod segment, Aosen Steel has achieved nearly 14% of Hebei Province's wire rod supply, despite producing only 2.2% of the province's total steel output. Over the past five years since 2015, while maintaining annual crude steel production growth below 10%, Aosen Steel has delivered impressive financial performance: its annual revenue has surged by more than 20%, and profits have grown by over 40%. On average, the company’s sales profit margin over this period stood at 14.2%, a remarkable 2.6 times higher than the average sales profit margin of major and medium-sized steel enterprises during the same timeframe. Currently, Metallurgical News is actively promoting exemplary companies driving high-quality development, as requested by He Wenbo, Secretary of the Party Committee of the China Iron and Steel Association. Among these models, Aosen Steel stands out as a shining example of sustainable, high-quality growth. True high-quality development goes beyond superior product quality and strong corporate profitability—it also ensures excellent employee benefits and, crucially, fosters a positive corporate image. As the sole authoritative media outlet in the steel industry, China Metallurgical News bears the responsibility—and possesses the expertise—to tell compelling stories about China’s steel sector. Moving forward, China Metallurgical News is fully committed to highlighting Aosen Steel’s success story, showcasing the company’s outstanding image, and leveraging the power of culture to support Aosen Steel’s ongoing journey toward sustained, high-quality development. Together, we aim to create a new model of collaborative partnership between the company and the media, paving the way for mutual success and shared growth.

The photo shows Feng Chao.

　　Feng Chao stated in his speech that China's steel industry has now entered a stage of high-quality development, making it imperative for industry regulators, steel entrepreneurs, and research institutions to address the critical question of how to effectively implement this development philosophy. Three months ago, the Metallurgical Economic Research Center signed the "Aosen Steel High-Quality Development Plan" with Aosen Steel. Building on preliminary research and taking into account evolving external market conditions, the Center has since conducted three on-site visits to Aosen Steel—each accompanied by detailed reports—to outline the company’s future path toward high-quality growth. This vision encompasses creating an "Innovative Aosen," a "Green Aosen," an "Efficient Aosen," a "Smart Aosen," a "Resource-Aware Aosen," and a "Socially Responsible Aosen," while also setting specific development goals for the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period and beyond, extending into 2035. Moving forward, the Metallurgical Economic Research Center will collaborate closely with Aosen Steel, adopting a strategic approach focused on long-term planning, sustainable growth, and building robust momentum. Together, the two organizations will work tirelessly to craft a comprehensive, forward-thinking, and practical plan that aligns perfectly with Aosen Steel’s aspirations for high-quality development—combining both broad strategic insights and targeted, actionable steps. The recent High-Quality Promotion Conference and the signing of the related cooperation agreement mark another significant milestone in the deepening partnership between the two entities. Looking ahead, the Metallurgical Economic Research Center is committed to strengthening its ties with Aosen Steel, fostering even broader and more meaningful strategic collaborations, and growing alongside the company as it continues to thrive in the years ahead.

The photo shows Dong Han.

　　In his speech, Dong Han stated that thanks to its inherent resource advantages, Hebei Province’s steel industry has experienced significant growth since ancient times, providing a vital material foundation for the region’s development and progress. Today, steel materials remain the most critical structural and functional materials—and an indispensable component of human societal advancement. Moreover, the steel industry continues to pioneer the development of cutting-edge new materials. He emphasized that product innovation is a key driver of high-quality steel industry development. Notably, Aosen Steel has already achieved impressive success in the industrial wire sector. Looking ahead, Shanghai University plans to collaborate closely with Aosen Steel to further enhance research and development efforts, particularly in high-performance specialty steel wires—especially ultra-high-carbon steel wires designed for advanced machinery, as well as ultra-high-strength spring steel wires. Additionally, he highlighted several recent advancements in steel quality control and process optimization.

The photo shows Gao Junzhao.

　　Gao Junzhao stated in his speech that steel is Hebei's largest manufacturing industry. The Hebei Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government are paying close attention to the high-quality development of the steel sector and have introduced 20 specific measures aimed at achieving phased progress within five years across six key areas: scaling up core equipment, upgrading product portfolios to higher-end segments, greening production processes, enhancing the intelligence of decision-making support systems, optimizing industrial layout, and strengthening organizational structures. He also revealed that, starting this year, the provincial leadership has been assigned to directly oversee and support the steel industry—tasked with helping companies tackle their toughest challenges. The goal is to gradually transform Hebei’s steel industry from being "large" to "strong" over the next few years through sustained, dedicated leadership engagement.

The photo shows Song Xiangdang.

　　In his speech, Song Xiangdang emphasized that the steel industry plays a critical role in Hebei Province's drive toward high-quality development. When it comes to advancing the steel sector, he noted, "We must prioritize not just 'appearance,' but even more so, 'character.'" Here, "appearance" refers to leading and embracing green transformation—something that has always been the foundation and backbone of the steel industry. Meanwhile, "character" highlights companies like Aosen Steel, which excel not because of their sheer size, but precisely because of their excellence and strength. Key factors such as optimizing product structures, driving industry-wide upgrades and transformations, integrating smart technologies into production lines, and pioneering cutting-edge innovations are all crucial for sustained growth. Ultimately, Song expressed hope that with the guidance and momentum provided by enterprises like Aosen Steel, Hebei Province’s entire steel industry will experience a significant leap forward.

The photo shows the signing ceremony between Ausen Steel, the Research Center for Economic Development in Metallurgy and Iron & Steel Industry, Shanghai University, Metallurgical Industry Press, and China Metallurgical News.

　　At the meeting, Cao Yuebin and Feng Chao, representing Aosen Steel and the Research Center for Economic Development in Metallurgical Industry respectively, jointly signed cooperation agreements on the "Low-Carbon Development Plan" and the "Social Responsibility Report" projects. Meanwhile, Cao Yuebin and Dong Han, representing Aosen Steel and Shanghai University respectively, signed a collaboration agreement for the "High-Quality Special Steel Wire Rod Technology R&D Project." Additionally, Cao Yuebin and Su Changyong, representing Aosen Steel and Metallurgical Industry Press respectively, inked a strategic partnership agreement, as did Cao Yuebin and Chen Yuqian, who represented Aosen Steel and China Metallurgical News respectively, finalizing another strategic collaboration.
　　The Metallurgical Industry Economic Development Research Center is a national-level, high-end advisory think tank. Shanghai University is a leading domestic research institution renowned for its expertise in steel materials. The Metallurgical Industry Press is a central-level science and technology publisher dedicated to advancing technological innovation and disseminating scientific knowledge within the metallurgy sector. Meanwhile, China Metallurgical News stands as the industry's largest-circulation and most influential authoritative media outlet. Each organization brings its own unique strengths and distinctive features. Together, these four entities will firmly strengthen their service capabilities, elevate their service standards, and ensure that projects proceed smoothly, systematically, and at the highest possible level—paving the way for Aosen Steel’s high-quality development and enabling it to fulfill its rightful role in driving industry progress.

　　Ji Yongjian, a second-level inspector at the Hebei Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology; Wang Li, Director of the Secretariat Division at the Hebei Provincial Development and Reform Commission’s Resolution Office; Guo Weihui, Director of the Platform and Basic Research Division at the Hebei Provincial Department of Science and Technology; Fu Hao, a cadre from the Raw Materials Industry Division of the Hebei Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology; Zhao Jianming, Member of the Standing Committee of Xinji Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office; Wang Xinkai, Deputy Secretary of the Xinji Municipal Government Party Group and Director of the Management Committee of the Hebei Xinji Economic Development Zone; and Han Zhiqiang, Director of the Xinji Municipal Development and Reform Bureau—along with other leaders from provincial and municipal government departments in Hebei Province and Xinji City—attended the meeting. Liu Shimin, Vice Mayor of Xinji City, presided over the event.