Background

A series of hot topics have added to uncertainties in metals market, including Fed’s QE taper, potential negative interest rates proposed by the European Central Bank, China’s tight liquidity conditions, stuttering European and US recovery against low inflation, establishment of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has shown its determination to push forward reforms. What kind of opportunities or challenges will the bold changes in China – the world’s largest lead and zinc producer and consumer – bring to Chinese lead and zinc industry? How will Chinese enterprises deal with them?

In this context, a series of questions were placed under spotlight:
Possible policies to be rolled out for the heavy polluting lead and zinc industry;
Taxation facing lead-acid battery industry: recycling fund or consumption tax?
Will the New General Technical Requirements for Electric Bikes be introduced in 2014?
Whether galvanizing sector will continue to support growth of zinc consumption?
Zinc concentrate supply at home and abroad;
Will China continue to see surplus of zinc concentrate? How will the concentrate surplus affect zinc prices?