Bayi steels itself during the economic downturn

Outside molten iron is pouring down from a huge blast furnace, but inside Ablikm Yasen, a smelting expert from the Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel Co Ltd, sits comfortably in a hi-tech control room and studies the computer screen in front of him.

"This is what automation brings to the steel workers," said the 39-year-old engineer, a graduate with a doctorate funded by the company.

This automation not only provides a comfortable working environment for the plant's staff, but also helps company financially during the current economic downturn.