China has announced production curbs in its strategic non-ferrous metals sector, the latest step in Beijing’s drive to rein in cutthroat competition and boost industrial efficiency. AdvertisementIn a new action plan the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has projected output growth of 1.5 per cent for primary non-ferrous metals this year, down from 4.3 per cent last year. Instead of setting a target to produce more of the metals, the ministry stressed optimising the industrial structure to achieve an average annual growth rate of about 5 per cent in value-added output. AdvertisementDominated by state-owned players, the non-ferrous metals sector is a vital supplier of copper, aluminium, lithium and other resources to China’s manufacturing and hi-tech industries. But processing fees, especially for copper concentrate, have remained depressed this year, squeezing smelter margins.