To further enhance communication and deepen strategic cooperation, on the afternoon of April 21st, Lin Wu, Secretary of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee, and Zhou Naixiang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor, led a delegation to visit and conduct research at Baowu. Hu Wangming, Secretary of the Baowu Party Committee and Chairman, and Hou Angui, General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, accompanied the Shandong provincial party and government delegation for the visit and discussion. Hu Wenrong, Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Secretary of the Party Group, attended the event.

On December 28, 2023, Baowu signed a cooperation agreement with Shandong Province, strategically investing in Shandong Iron and Steel Group. On January 2, 2024, Baosteel officially launched the collaborative support work for Shandong Iron and Steel Rizhao. Following the progression method of the first-day plan, the hundred-day plan, the annual plan, and the three-year plan, we aim to achieve 'the same language, the same standards, the same platform, and the same culture,' promoting the integration of Baosteel and Shandong Iron and Steel Rizhao's entire system. Currently, the hundred-day plan has been completed, and the annual plan has been initiated. Meanwhile, on April 16, the integrated support work for the Laigang base by Baosteel officially commenced, with the progression system and action plan clearly defined, and five integrated support projects including informatization, procurement, marketing, thick plate varieties, and high-quality long products were signed.

Hu Wangming first expressed gratitude to the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government for their concern and attention to Baowu. He pointed out that in the first quarter of this year, Baowu's operational performance improved year-on-year, achieving the established 'opening red' target. Baowu's operational performance surpassed the industry average, thanks to our proactive response to the long-term cyclical reduction and structural adjustment in the industry since the second half of last year, with clear measures such as 'four modernizations,' 'four qualities,' and 'accounting management.' He emphasized that after the agreement was signed on December 28 last year, Baowu actively implemented the agreement. Currently, the synergistic benefits of the Rizhao base have been evident, and efforts will be made to promote the annual plan for synergistic support at the Rizhao base. Meanwhile, we will fully leverage the advantages of Baosteel in management, technology, talent, etc., to solidly promote the annual support projects for the Laigang integration, promoting the improvement of Laigang base's operational performance and efficiency. Promoting synergistic support at the Rizhao base and integrated support at the Laigang base is in the common interest of both parties, and we hope to continue receiving the same support from the provincial party committee and the provincial government as before. Hu Wangming stated that Baowu will actively promote the development of the 'one base, five elements' industry in Shandong. First, promote the synergy of non-steel industries of Shangang Group. In accordance with market principles, we will promote the synergy between Shangang's non-steel industries and Baowu's five-element industries, helping Shangang Group to become stronger and better. Second, enhance the core competitiveness of existing enterprises in Shandong. Continuously enhancing the core competitiveness of existing enterprises is an important part of our cooperation, and we hope that the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government will continue to support Baowu's existing enterprises in Shandong. Third, promote the landing of 'five-element' businesses in Shandong. Specific projects will be promoted based on the basic idea of 'mature one, implement one.'

Lin Wu, on behalf of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government, expressed gratitude for the support and assistance that Baowu has always provided to Shandong. He pointed out that currently, Shandong is accelerating the construction of a green, low-carbon, and high-quality development pilot zone, cultivating and developing new productive forces, and striving to shape new advantages of high-quality development. Shandong attaches great importance to cooperation with Baowu. Since the agreement was signed on December 28 last year, Baowu has actively fulfilled the agreement, vigorously promoted the collaborative support work for Shandong Iron and Steel Rizhao and the integrated support work for the Laigang base, and made significant improvements in production processes and product quality. Cooperation between the two sides is forward-looking and mutually beneficial. We hope Baowu will fully leverage its advantages to help Shangang further enhance its competitiveness, while also playing a demonstrative and driving role to help the overall transformation and upgrading of local industries.

During the discussion, a strategic cooperation agreement signing ceremony between Baowu and Shandong Port Group was held. Huo Gaoyuan, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Shandong Port Group, and Gao Jianbing, member of the Baowu Party Committee and Deputy General Manager, signed the agreement on behalf of both parties.

The Shandong provincial party and government delegation also conducted on-site visits to the operation center of Baosteel and the Haideng factory.

Attendees included Liu Qiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Jinan Municipal Party Committee; Zeng Zanrong, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Qingdao Municipal Party Committee; Jiang Cheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Yantai Municipal Party Committee; Fan Bo, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary-General; Sun Licheng, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress; Song Junji, Deputy Governor; Zhang Xinwen, Deputy Chairman of the Provincial CPPCC, as well as relevant departments and leaders of Shandong Province and Baosteel, attended the event.