The China Iron and Steel Association has established a leading group for the integration of informatization and industrialization.

The China Iron and Steel Association recently issued a notice announcing the establishment of a Leading Group for the Integration of Informatization and Industrialization, with specific provisions on relevant matters.

The notice states that, in order to enhance the level of intelligent manufacturing in the steel industry and implement the “Plan for Deep Integration of Informatization and Industrialization in the Raw Materials Industry” and the “Action Plan for the Transformation and Development of the Steel Industry (2015–2017),” the aforementioned working group has been established in response to the needs of promoting the integration of informatization and industrialization within the steel sector.

The notice clearly defines the leading group’s principal responsibilities: to coordinate and integrate all initiatives related to the integration of informatization and industrialization within the steel industry; to oversee research on the industry’s standardization system for this integration and assume technical oversight; to organize experience-sharing and dissemination among pilot enterprises implementing the integrated management system; to conduct R&D and application of key, cross‑cutting technologies for integration, and to promote smart manufacturing technologies and control solutions across enterprises; to undertake research on major issues and provide project consulting services in this area; to compile and publish annual reports and conduct evaluations on the industry’s progress in integration; and to establish an industry‑wide big data information service platform.

The notice also specifies the composition of the leading group and its working body. Zhu Jimin, Executive Vice President of the China Iron and Steel Association, serves as the group’s head. Wang Liqun and Chi Jingdong, both Vice Presidents of the China Iron and Steel Association, serve as deputy heads. The office of the leading group is located within the Development, Science & Technology, and Environmental Protection Department of the Association and is responsible for the group’s day-to-day operations. Its staff comprises relevant personnel from the Development, Science & Technology, and Environmental Protection Department, the Information and Statistics Department, the Metallurgical Science and Technology Development Center, as well as, when necessary, designated representatives from Northeastern University, Beijing University of Science and Technology, the Institute of Metallurgical Automation under the China Iron and Steel Association, Baosight Software Co., Ltd., and other institutions.

— Ministry of Natural Resources website