China's metallurgical industry registered some 1.3 billion yuan in profits from January to August this year, up 42 percent from the same period last year.

Sources from the State Administration of Metallurgical Industry say that the sector's industrial output reached 130 billion yuan in the first eight months, up 10 percent. Total sales were 188 billion yuan, remaining the same with last year's figure.

The metallurgical industry also made progress in reducing steel production during January-August period, with some giant steel makers taking the initiative.

Shoudu Iron and Steel Complex reduced production by 8.5 percent from the same period last year, and the Pudong Iron and Steel Company under Baoshan Complex cut their output by a hefty 30 percent.

China decided to reduce steel production by 10 percent this year in light of the sluggish domestic and global market.

Chinese iron and steel enterprises have done away with outdated equipment and improved their management.

It is estimated that a total of seven million tons of outdated iron production and 3.5 million tons of outdated steel production will be eliminated by the end of this year.