China's first million-ton near-zero-carbon steel production line began full-capacity operation in Zhanjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday, marking a major breakthrough for the country's steel industry in advancing low-carbon development. The production line employs an advanced hydrogen-based reduction and electric smelting process, with hydrogen as the primary fuel replacing traditional coke, significantly cutting carbon emissions. It offers a novel pathway for China's steel industry to break free from its deep reliance on fossil fuels. Direct reduced iron produced by the core hydrogen-based vertical furnace achieved the targeted metallization rate. And high-efficiency green facilities like electric furnaces further enhance energy utilization efficiency. Compared to traditional processes, this new production line reduces carbon emissions by 50 percent to 80 percent. The hydrogen-based steelmaking technology revolutionizes the conventional energy-intensive and polluting smelting process, making steel production increasingly low-carbon. Shotlist: Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, south China - Dec 23, 2025: 1. Various of steel production line in operation; 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wang Hongliang, staff, China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited (starting with shot 1/ending with shots 3-4): "The million-ton near-zero-carbon steel production line reduces carbon emissions by over 3.14 million tons annually, equivalent to restoring 2,000 square kilometers of forest. It provides a model for the low-carbon transformation of steel enterprises and contributes to the high-quality development of the steel industry."; 3. Sign reading "zero-carbon production line"; 4. Various of industrial facilities, factories. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]