China’s 20th National Maritime Day was celebrated on July 11 in Shanghai under the theme of ‘Smart Navigation Delivers the Accessible Future.’
In celebration, a number of themed events were introduced on Thursday in Shanghai, East China.
Wang Weiren, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal administration, stated during the opening ceremony of the themed events in Shanghai, “the National Maritime Day has become a festival of the highest level, the widest popularity and the most comprehensive event in China’s maritime sector.”
Wang stated that Shanghai Port has been the busiest container port in the world for 14 years consecutively, and an increasing number of shipping companies and organizations have established themselves in Shanghai. The city has been steadily enhancing its high-end shipping services, and advances in shipbuilding, maritime science, along with green and low-carbon technology developing at a faster rate.
“We must continue to open up and take proactive steps to improve Shanghai Port’s infrastructure, quality shipping services, and smart, low-carbon development as Shanghai is rapidly establishing itself as an international shipping hub. We are going to accelerate Shanghai International Shipping Center’s progress in the digital, intelligent, and green domains,” Wang announced.
During the launch ceremony, key figures involved in development of Shanghai Port were graced with awards.
At the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal in the Hongkou area, three vessels – the river cruise ship Shen Cheng Zhi Guang, the pilot ship Hu Gang Yin 11, and the patrol vessel Haixun 01 – were open to the public in an effort to promote and disseminate knowledge of maritime cultures.
China celebrated Maritime Day in 2005, which commemorated the 600th anniversary of Zheng He’s first ocean voyage. Zheng He was a navigator during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), and he undertook seven overseas voyages to exchange goods and cultures with other countries.
China’s marine economy accounted for around 8 percent of its GDP during the 14th Five Year Plan (2021-2025). In 2023 its marine GDP reached 9.9. trillion yuan ($1.36 trillion), a year-on-year increase of 6%.
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