The most-traded January copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange slipped 1.4 percent to 47,020 yuan ($7,665) a tonne on Wednesday ahead of a flood of US data later on Wednesday that is forecast to shed positive light on the world's biggest economy. "Just how much copper and other metals China will need to import next year is still up for debate and that's keeping investors on the sides, which is putting pressure on prices," said a metals trader.
China's central bank said on Tuesday it will wait until fourth-quarter economic data is out and monitor US and Japanese monetary policy before considering any more rate cuts or easing.