Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng met Nils Smedegaard Andersen, CEO of Maersk Group last Friday and said the shipping industry is closely related to economic development in China and the world at large.

China is implementing the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road strategies as well as the Yangtze River Economic Belt strategy. This presents a vast platform for Shanghai and Maersk to cooperate, Han said.

He said Shanghai is striving to become an international shipping center by upgrading shipping services, turning Yangtze River into an artery of shipping, and enhancing its competitiveness to better serve the entire country.

Han thanked Maersk Group and other shipping enterprises for participating in Shanghai’s drive to become an international shipping center and expressed hope for increased cooperation in the future.

Andersen said he was impressed by Shanghai’s progress towards becoming an international shipping center. Maersk is interested in China’s Silk Road initiatives and the Yangtze River Economic Belt strategy. The company is keen to expand business ties with Shanghai.

He pledged to share the company’s good experiences with Shanghai Port Authority and strengthen cooperation in more areas for mutual benefits.