china iron and steel denies boycott

http://www.chinamining.org/News/2008-03-20/1205993362d12291.html


The China Iron & Steel Association (CISA), a semi-official industry organization, has denied media reports that Australia's largest miners BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd have been banned from selling iron ore in China.


CISA vice chairman Luo Bingsheng said there was no such ban at a media briefing here.


However, Luo also told reporters that "it is inappropriate that some iron ore suppliers cannot fulfil their long-term contracts on the one hand, but on the other hand say that they have enough supply on the profitable spot market." He did not identify the suppliers.


The Sydney Morning Herald, citing an executive who works for one of the two miners, reported earlier this week that "neither BHP Billiton nor Rio Tinto has been able to send a single spot shipment into China since Jan 1."


The supposed boycott is being orchestrated by industry arms of the Chinese government and may have already cost Australia 300 mln aud in export profits, the report