Chinese ports attract global interest as industry leaders explore cooperation opportunities

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China's ports are becoming increasingly important centres for international cooperation, bringing together industry players to exchange technology, management expertise and business opportunities, with the bauxite trade emerging as a key part of that growth. 

At a logistics conference in Yantai, eastern China, representatives from around the world gathered to discuss the future of breakbulk shipping before touring the city's port facilities to see how operations are evolving.

One of the key attractions is the dedicated shipping route linking China and Guinea. Chinese businesswoman Wang Xiangzhen, whose company exports Chinese trucks to Guinea, said the service has significantly improved logistics since her company began using it in 2024.

According to Wang, vessels carrying bauxite from Guinea to China return with Chinese construction materials, infrastructure supplies and engineering machinery, creating an efficient two-way trade corridor.

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The port visit also gave international delegates an opportunity to observe automated cargo handling systems and digital technologies that are increasingly being adopted across Chinese ports. Many explored how operational experience and technological solutions could be shared through a broader international port network.

William K. Ruto, managing director of the Kenya Ports Authority, said he was particularly impressed by the port's digitalisation and intelligent management systems, adding that similar initiatives are being introduced in Kenya.

Ruto's visit to Yantai came shortly after attending a port exchange programme in Yancheng, another eastern Chinese port city, alongside representatives from several Maritime Silk Road countries.

The event led to a new friendly port cooperation agreement between Yancheng Port and Indonesia's state-owned port operator, aimed at strengthening collaboration in shipping and logistics, trade exchanges, port operations, and green and low-carbon development.

For many of the overseas delegates, the visits were not only about cargo movement, but also about building stronger international connections through trade and port cooperation.

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