Trading Desk submits: As the global interest in metals climbed in recent years, the role of China and its demand for these materials has often taken center stage.

Experts continue to waver about whether the country's remarkable economic growth is sustainable, but actual figures on what China is importing and exporting can shed some light on where metals prices may be heading.

On Thursday, China reported that it imported a larger-than-expected volume of net refined copper in February, something Desjardins Securities analyst John Hughes says is a positive signal for western copper producers like Teck Cominco Ltd. (NYSE: TCK).

He expects China will continue to boosts its copper imports this year, which will bring upward pressure on prices.

The first quarter is the low point for Teck Cominco's earnings, according to Desjardins' forecast, which is driven by the US60¢ decline in the price of copper and a US30¢ decline for zinc, when compared to fourth quarter averages in 2006.

Mr. Hughes reiterated his 'buy' rating on the stock and C$98.85 price target, which represents upside of more than 20%.