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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. 。

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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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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