China's iron ore imports show signs of abating, with the combined volume in the first 11 months growing 19.8 percent to total 298 million tons, the slowest rate in recent years, the latest customs figures show.

Imports in November reached 28.56 million tons, 30 percent higher than last month.

Domestic production rose sharply in the first nine months, with output of large mines hitting 406 million tons, 37.7 percent higher than the same period last year, easing the country's dependence on overseas suppliers.

China has become a net steel exporter, with total exports in the first 11 months reaching 37.46 million tons, up 100.3 percent from the same period in 2005.

In the same period, imports dropped by 29.1 percent to 17.01 million tons.

Steel exports in November stood at 4.63 million tons and imports at 1.48 million tons, with net exports reaching 3.15 million tons, up 10.14 percent from the previous month.

China is the world's biggest producer and consumer of steel.

Source: Xinhua