The 2014 global coking resource and market summit seminar kicked off on March 19 in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. Nearly 300 domestic and overseas delegates from well-known coking coal, iron and steel enterprises; industry associations; and logistics, trade and financial investment institutions attended the forum.

The director of the China (Taiyuan) Coal Transaction Center, Qu Jianwu, said that as the largest developing country, the sustainable development of China's national economy greatly depends on coal, especially coking coal, which seems unlikely to be improved soon. However, due to the spread of smog, overcapacity and a series of issues, the coal, coke and steel industries are digging solutions for a better future.

The two-day forum will focus on topics involving macroeconomics and coal market operation, coking coal resources and market trend analysis, coal financial investments and futures markets, global coking coal import and export market analysis. The forum will seek to communicate and discuss solutions for industry chain issues, promote convergence and connection of supply and demand between enterprises, and establish a good cooperation relationship.

In addition, the forum will provide a platform for the supply and demand sides to discuss and negotiate. According to delegates, it will play a vital role in stabilizing the market, strengthening risk control and building up healthy development of industry chains.

• [Editor:Sophie]