Yao Hairong: The current cement industry is facing multiple challenges, so it is necessary to prevent "involution" vicious competition!

On March 14, the 14th China Cement Industry Summit and TOP100 Award Ceremony hosted by China Cement Network was grandly held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The theme of the Summit was: New Cycle Anti-Involution Breakthrough. Yao Hairong, Vice President and Secretary-General of

Zhejiang Cement Association, said in his speech that we must clearly realize that the current cement industry is in a period of profound change, with multiple challenges such as supply and demand contradictions, environmental pressures and technological innovation intertwined.

To this end, Yao Hairong put forward several suggestions: first, to prevent "involution" vicious competition; second, to strengthen industry self-discipline and deepen supply-side reform; third, to actively respond to the national green development strategy; fourth, to promote the deep integration of the industrial chain and strengthen the cooperation between upstream and downstream enterprises; Fifth, strengthen market monitoring and early warning, and scientifically formulate production plans. Sixth, further promote the integration of production, learning, research and application, and train high-quality personnel.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Distinguished guests, colleagues in the industry, ladies and gentlemen:

Good morning!

First of all, on behalf of Zhejiang Cement Association, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the organizer, China Cement Network, for its kind invitation. I am honored to be able to meet with you in Hangzhou in spring to attend the "14th China Cement Industry Summit and TOP100 Award Ceremony" to witness and discuss the future development of the cement industry.

Looking back on the past year, the cement industry in Zhejiang Province has experienced many challenges and changes. In

2024, under the background of severe and complicated economic situation at home and abroad and deep adjustment of the industry, Zhejiang cement industry still maintained its tenacious and enterprising spirit. Faced with the unfavorable situation of weak demand and intensified market competition, cement enterprises in the whole province have made joint efforts to actively respond to the situation and promote the industry to move forward steadily in the predicament through technological transformation, green transformation and innovation drive.

However, we must clearly realize that the current cement industry is in a period of profound change, the contradiction between supply and demand, environmental pressure, technological innovation and other challenges are intertwined. To this end, I would like to take this opportunity to put forward the following suggestions:

First, we should prevent "involution" vicious competition , always uphold the concept of fair competition and win-win cooperation, actively respond to the call of the state to strengthen industry self-discipline, prevent involution vicious competition, promote the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure, and jointly safeguard the industry ecology.

Second, we should strengthen industry self-discipline, deepen supply-side reform , and achieve healthy development of the industry by eliminating backward production capacity and optimizing the industrial structure.

Third, actively respond to the national green development strategy , increase R & D investment, accelerate the popularization and application of low-carbon, environmental protection and intelligent technology, and further reduce the carbon emission intensity of the industry.

Fourthly, we should promote the deep integration of industrial chains, strengthen the cooperation between upstream and downstream enterprises, and create a new industrial ecology of resource sharing and mutual benefit.

Fifth, we should strengthen market monitoring and early warning, scientifically formulate production plans , prevent disorderly price fluctuations caused by excessive market competition, and safeguard the overall interests of the industry and market stability.

Sixth, we should further promote the integration of production, teaching and research, train high-quality personnel, and reserve intellectual resources for the long-term development of the cement industry.

In this difficult period, let us work hand in hand to meet challenges, seize opportunities, write a new chapter of Zhejiang and even China's cement industry with a more open attitude and innovative spirit, and contribute to the sustainable and healthy development of China's economy and society!

Finally, thank you again! Wish this summit a complete success, wish every participant a full harvest, and wish China's cement industry a better tomorrow!