Lianzhong Stainless Steel Corp, which owns the largest Taiwanese-funded stainless steel mill in South China, started a trial run of its new plant in Guangzhou yesterday.

"After the shop officially opens, Lianzhong will be able to better integrate its products and strengthen our presence on the mainland steel market," said Li Bixian, president of the company.

With a designed annual production capacity of more than 1 million tons of steel, the facility a type known in the industry as a "steel melt shop" opens after a three-year development of Lianzhong's cold- and hot-rolled stainless steel production lines that required an investment of 790 million yuan.

Lianzhong launched its first cold-rolled stainless steel production line in early 2004.

With the launch of its steel melt shop, Lianzhong becomes the mainland's first overseas-invested integrated steel mill to include production of hot- and cold-rolled and melt steel.

(China Daily February 9, 2007)