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The iron and steel manufacturing apparatus in mainland China has been developed through several major stages, each of which manifests a distinctive pattern underlined by certain overriding factors. From the embryonic period at the turn of this century to World War II, transportation, capital availability, and market condition were alternately the chief determinant in the location of this industry. Since the Communist take-over and through the various construction and expansion programs, particularly as a result of the development of new resources, a new pattern has taken shape which tends to guide the future growth of this industry. This paper offers a locational analysis of the major nuclei in the emerging pattern and their effect upon the development of the secondary centers in the various regions of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents comments of the author on a paper on the iron and steel industry by Kuei-Sheng Chang. He has adopted a useful approach in analyzing the locational pattern in terms of major nuclei associated with secondary centers in the various regions in China. Based on my current research, however, I fear that the picture of Communist China's iron and steel industry that emerges in this paper is one exaggerated achievement and it is likely to mislead some readers who have not followed recent developments.

The article presents a response of the author on comments made by scholar Theodore Shabad on his paper on the iron and steel industry in China. The study of any important aspect of the industrial geography of Communist China involves difficulties and pitfalls seldom encountered in other endeavors. I fully understand what Shabad means by the frustrating process he himself is now engaged in. Aware of limitations of individual effort, from the outset I choose only a limited objective to offer a locational analysis of the major nuclei in the emerging pattern and their effect upon the development of secondary centers in the various regions of China.