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The plant, which belongs to Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) is situated in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian, and will have an annual capacity of 350,000 tons of high-precision aluminum plate upon its completion in 2010.

The project will cost 2.7 billion yuan (US$350 million).

"The project is likely to end China's heavy reliance on imports of aluminium," said Kang Yi, president of the China Nonferrous Metals Society at the ground-breaking ceremony.

Two months ago, Chinalco, the country's biggest aluminum producer, began the construction of a large aluminum-processing base in northwestern Gansu Province.

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