The 7th Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum held in Ningbo, a pivotal transportation hub in East China's Zhejiang Province on July 18, 2023 Photo: Courtesy of Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co

Foreign port service providers are increasing their emphasis on collaboration with their counterparts in China, which remains a central focus of their global strategy, despite intensifying attempts by the US-led West to "decouple" or "de-risk" from China.

Such sentiments advocating further cooperation instead of competition were expressed at the 7th Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum in Ningbo, a transportation hub in East China's Zhejiang Province. 

The annual event, jointly organized by the Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Investment & Operation Group Co and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co, attracted more than 400 representatives in the shipping and port sectors from more than 40 countries and regions. 

It was the fifth time that German Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven JadeWeserPort-Marketing participated in the event, aiming to stay in touch with its Chinese partners and make new contacts.

Agreements were signed for cooperation between the German port operator and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group, which they believe will be mutually beneficial.

The 7th Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum held in Ningbo, a pivotal transportation hub in East China's Zhejiang Province on July 18, 2023 Photo: Courtesy of Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co

"Ningbo Zhoushan Port plans to build facilities in the port warehouse where goods can be consolidated and prepared for distribution in Germany or in other parts of Europe," Andreas Bullwinkel, managing director of the German firm, told the Global Times on Tuesday. This cooperation will help put the Belt and Road Initiative on German ground.

The German company's representative said that "we are living in a globalized world and ports are a very necessary and essential part of this global network." 

Some 90 percent of the cargo at the port is related to China trade. "Among all the shipping lines that call at our port, China is the center of business."

"Other big leading German companies from the vehicle, chemical or other sectors... are all still investing in China," Bullwinkel said.

Lars Anke, chief representative of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, a leading European logistics company based in Hamburg, said that about one-third of their containers are connected to trade with China, and they are focusing closely on the development of China despite external challenges.

"It's important to recognize the interconnectedness of the global economy," Anke said. "We are the biggest trading partner, so of course we have to work together, which may be more important than ever because of the new challenges connected to political challenges and climate change."

Tomasz Braun, management board representative for international cooperation of Port of Gdansk Authority in Poland, said that "growing industries, a growing economy and China's strong position in trade and supply are visible." 

"We are the fastest-growing port in Europe and we think a lot about boosting and strengthening cooperation with Chinese ports," Braun said.

Eranda Kotelawala, CEO of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority, told the Global Times that China is probably Solomon Islands' biggest trading partner when it comes to ports. Most foreign ships are from China. 

"China is the global leader in manufacturing and distribution. Connecting with Chinese ports is equally important when it comes to having smooth trade, because this will contribute to the economy of the Solomon Islands," Kotelawala said.
 Establishing a clear vision and mutually beneficial relationship between ports in China and the Solomon Islands can support the development and growth of both sides, he added.

The US-led West wants to "decouple" and "de-risk" from China to achieve global hegemony, but this ill-intended goal is hard to achieve, given the most complete industrial system and industrial chain that China has in the world, Chen Yingming, an executive vice president of the China Ports and Harbors Association, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

To ensure the stability of the upstream and downstream of the global supply chains, Chen emphasized the need to enhance the collection and distribution system while strengthening interconnections with international ports.