Posted on: 20 June 2016
Maritime London hosted two separate delegations from China in mid-June, the first from the Port of Qingdao followed by representatives of the Pudong Government and Shanghai Free Trade Zone.
Qingdao is the nation’s largest iron ore port and one of the most important economic centres in Northern China, as well as being considered a major hub in President Xi’s ‘Belt & Road’ strategy. The Port of Qingdao representatives visited a number of maritime-related organisations and companies in London with a view to exploring opportunities for co-operation between the two cities.
The Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) located in the Pudong area of the city was set up as the nation’s first FTZ in September 2013. The aim of the visit to London was to promote FTZ policies to UK-based maritime players.
Delegation members took part in a Maritime London members-only networking event hosted by Norton Rose Fulbright, where ML chief executive Doug Barrow delivered a welcome address. Yuan Tao, Director of Shanghai FTZ Expo Area Administration, responded by stressing how happy the delegation was to be visiting London, and the great potential for co-operation that exists between UK maritime businesses and Shanghai.
Further addresses were delivered by Wenhao Han on behalf of Norton Rose Fulbright, and by Ben Zhang, Maritime London’s China representative and executive chairman of the MFE (Maritime & Finance Excellence) Center in Shanghai, who accompanied both Chinese delegations during their visits.
