China has become the world's second largest salt producer, with its salt production capacity standing at 47 million tons last year, General Manager of China National Salt Corp. Mao Qingguo announced in Beijing on Wednesday.

Last year, China produced more than 43 million tons of salt, accounting for 18 percent of the world's total. Its seasalt output ranked first in the world, making up 60 percent of the country's total, Mao told an Asian Salt Symposium held in Beijing.

The wellsalt output accounted for 30 percent of China's total salt production, and that of lakesalt, 10 percent, he added.

He said that China's demand for salt is on the rise with the fast development of the economy, predicting that the salt industry will continue to grow fast.

He said that his corporation is willing to cooperate with other foreign counterparts to further promote the development of the industry, based on equality, mutual trust and mutual benefits.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2005)