China's iron ore imports are expected to rise 6 percent, or by 40 million tons, this year from 2010 on the back of higher steel output, an official from China's mining association said on Thursday.
Crude steel output in China, the world's largest steel producer, is expected to rise above 670 million tons this year, said Xu Xu, chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters.