Scattered signs of potential loosening boost iron and steel prices

One key example of loosening came in recent weeks when banks in some major cities – Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing – started once again to give out loans for third houses in contravention of an official policy, though with tighter down payment rules than previously (CC July 15 Editor's View). Another potential boost came when Wu Dingfu, Chairman of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission was quoted this week as saying that the investment scope of insurers will be widened "steadily" in the second half into areas including real estate.

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