They’ve produced airplanes, launched satellites and churned out some of the best smartphones, so it seems almost incredible that China has been stumped by the humble ballpoint pen. Until now. 。

China, while being the world’s biggest manufacturer of ballpoint pens, has not been able to manufacture the pen tips without relying on foreign imports.
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Taiyuan Iron and Steel, one of the country’s biggest stainless steelmakers, has announced that it's finally able to develop the pen tips after five years of trying. 。

Ballpoint tips require extremely high grade stainless steel and precision equipment, the company told the Xinhua news agency.。

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For years, China has spent millions importing the stainless steel and other equipment from Japan and Switzerland. 。

Various ball pens seen in Dortmund, Germany, 04 May 2016. Photo by: Ina Fassbender/picture-alliance/dpa/AP ImagesCredit: Ina Fassbender/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images。 Beifa Group, one of the country’s largest ballpoint pen makers,said it has ordered the first batch 。

of pen tips from Taiyuan, and expects to completely replace the need for imported steel within the next two years. 。

The issue has been a thorn in China’s side for years, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang saying it reflected badly on Chinese manufacturing. 。

China even set up a national initiative to move its domestic pen makers up the industry value chain in 2011.。

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Now you can finally say that your pen is 100% Made in China.  。

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Now you can finally say that your pen is 100% Made in China.。

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