Photos document Baotou’s history

Liu Shaoqi (middle), chairman of the People’s Republic of China, inspects the First Machinery Group, the largest machinery manufacturer based in Inner Mongolia, in September 1959. [Photo/archives bureau of Baotou]

Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, attends the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the blast furnace tapping at Baogang Group on Oct 15, 1959. The tapping marked the beginning of the production of iron and steel in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/archives bureau of Baotou]

Deng Xiaoping, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, inspects Bayan Obo mining district of Baotou which was under construction at that time on April 8, 1964. [Photo/archives bureau of Baotou]