In northeast China’s Liaoning Province, a historic steel company is setting the stage for industrial revival. Bensteel Group, established in 1905, has transformed from a traditional steel manufacturer into a smart factory, embracing cutting-edge technology to lead the region’s modernization efforts.
Through restructuring with major steelmaker Ansteel in 2021, Bensteel has breathed new life into its operations. The company now excels in research and development, especially in car plate manufacturing, offering over 60 categories and more than 7,500 different specifications. With technology and equipment that stand among the world’s best, Bensteel showcases the power of innovation in revitalizing traditional industries.
During a recent visit to Bensteel, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the significance of such transformations. “The steel industry is an important basic industry of the country, and the real economy is the foundation of the national economy,” he said, emphasizing the need for manufacturing to move towards high-end, intelligent, and green development.
President Xi pointed out that Liaoning has a comprehensive industrial system and urged the province to coordinate the upgrade of traditional industries while fostering new strategic industries. He stressed accelerating the creation of a modern industrial system by integrating scientific and technological innovation with industry.
This push comes as part of broader efforts to rejuvenate northeast China, an area historically known for heavy industry but challenged by outdated production methods and inefficiencies. In recent years, significant progress has been made in modernizing the steel sector, focusing on green development, intelligent manufacturing, and international cooperation.
In 2022, China released guidelines to promote high-quality development in the iron and steel industry, aiming to increase industrial concentration and efficiency by 2025. Bensteel’s success story is a leading example of this initiative, demonstrating how innovation and reform can drive growth.
Northeast China’s revitalization relies on embracing change. President Xi underscored the importance of reform and opening up, calling for efforts to build a law-based government, improve the business environment, and develop a modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics.
As Bensteel continues to innovate and modernize, it not only strengthens China’s industrial capabilities but also inspires other enterprises to follow suit, paving the way for a dynamic and prosperous future in the region.
