China's policymakers will strike a balance between containing the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak and facilitating the resumption of regular business activities as a prolonged economic standstill could trigger greater risks, economists said.

There may be some shortages of containers as Chinese export numbers have taken a tumble during this crisis.

More than a third of Chinese steel mills are considering cutting steel production due to rising inventories.

JFE Steel announced its decision to idle part of its steel plate manufacturing operations in Japan on account of falling steel demand and faltering global economic growth situation.

High-tech manufacturing shines as China's industrial profits exceed 6 trln yuan.

India has surpassed Japan in terms of annual steel production, becoming the second largest producer of crude steel in the world, after China.

Lao exports to China continue to flow as normal despite the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, Lao news daily the Vientiane Times reported last Tuesday.

The HBIS Group, one of the world's largest steelmakers based in northern China's Hebei province, has imported iron ore from the Brazilian mining giant Vale in use of RMB clearing.