On March 25, 2011, a grand opening ceremony of “Shanghai-Hong Kong International Maritime R&D and Communication Centre” (hereinafter referred to as “Communication Centre”) was held in Hongkou, Shanghai.

The establishment of the “Communication Centre” was proposed by Senior Chairman Frank Tsao of IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group; strongly supported by Vice Minister Xu Zuyuan of the Ministry of Transport, Vice Chairman Tung Chee Hwa of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and President Qian Yongchang of China Communications and Transportation Association; and jointly launched by IMC-Frank Tsao Maritime Library and Research & Development Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shanghai International Shipping Institute (SISI) and Hong Kong IMC Shipping Development Foundation. The “Communication Centre” received strong supports, guidance and help from the Ministry of Transport, Hong Kong SAR Government, Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, Shanghai Maritime University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group etc., as well as other enthusiastic leaders and people in the maritime industry.

The opening ceremony of the “Communication Centre” is one of the “Opening and Signing Ceremonies of Major Projects for Promoting the Construction of Shanghai International Shipping and Finance Centers” jointly organized by the Promotion Group Office of Shanghai International Shipping Center, Shanghai Finance Office, Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, and Hongkou District People’s Government. Vice Mayor Shen Jun of Shanghai Municipality, Secretary Sun Weiguo and Deputy District Mayor Wu Qing of Hongkou District attended the ceremony. Also attended the ceremony were 150 guests from the shipping and financial industries. Mr. Shen Jun, Qian Yongchang and Frank Tsao, together with Deputy Director Li Hongyin of the Department of Water Transport under the Ministry of Transport unveiled the “Communication Centre”. Vice President Huang Youfang of Shanghai Maritime University, Vice President Philip C.M. Chan of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Deputy Secretary-General Cheung Mei Chu of Hong Kong Transport and Housing Bureau witnessed the whole opening ceremony.

On the evening of March 24, on behalf of Shanghai International Shipping Institute (SISI), one of the initiators, SMU Secretary and President Yu Shicheng and Vice President Huang Youfang held a grand welcoming dinner in the honor of about 10 guests from Hong Kong and Beijing who travelled all the way to the opening ceremony, including Mr. Frank Tsao, Ms. Cheung Mei Chu, Mr. Li Hongyin, Director Wang Mingzhi of Commission Office of Shanghai Combination Port, Mr. Philip C.M. Chan, Vice President Judy Tsui of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Vice President Fei Weijun of China Waterborne Transportation Institute. All participants reached a consensus that the establishment of the “Communication Centre” will play a crucial role in promoting mutual development of Shanghai and Hong Kong, facilitating exchanges between the two cities, as well as driving the construction and strengthening of the two international shipping centers.

Picture 1?Opening ceremony of “Shanghai-Hong Kong International Maritime R&D and Communication Centre” was held in Hongkou

Picture 2: “Shanghai-Hong Kong International Maritime R&D and Communication Centre” was unveiled