China Securities Journal reported that a number of major Chinese steelmakers have asked Premier Mr Wen Jiabao to direct the government to tackle iron ore price negotiations.

The paper reported, quoting what it described as authoritative sources, the vice president of the China Iron & Steel Association and the heads of more than 10 mills wrote the joint letter to Mr Wen on March 11th asking him to take up the issue of rising iron ore import prices at a national level.

It said the companies included Baosteel, Wuhan Iron & Steel, Anshan Iron & Steel and Hebei Iron & Steel.