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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.

中国港口吸引全球目光，行业巨头共探合作新机遇

中国各大港口正逐步成为国际产业合作的核心枢纽，汇聚全产业链从业者开展技术交流、管理经验互通与商贸合作，其中铝土矿贸易已成为港口业务增长的核心板块。

在中国东部城市烟台举办的一场物流行业大会上，全球各地行业代表齐聚一堂，研讨件杂货航运行业发展前景，并实地参观当地港口，了解码头运营升级现状。
中国与几内亚专属海运航线是本次活动的一大关注焦点。企业家王向珍所在企业主营向几内亚出口国产卡车，她表示，公司自2024年启用这条航线后，物流效率得到大幅提升。

据王向珍介绍，船舶从几内亚运输铝土矿抵达中国后，返程时可装载国内建材、基建物资与工程机械设备，构建起高效双向贸易通道。
海外代表团在港口考察期间，实地观摩了国内港口普及应用的自动化装卸设备与数字化管控技术，不少代表探讨如何依托国际港口合作网络，共享运营管理经验与数字化解决方案。

肯尼亚港务局总经理威廉・K・鲁托表示，烟台港口的数字化、智能化管理体系令他印象深刻，肯尼亚也正落地同类智慧港口建设项目。
鲁托此次到访烟台前不久，刚与多个海上丝绸之路国家的代表一同参加了在华东另一座港口城市盐城举办的港口交流项目。
本次交流活动促成盐城港与印尼国有港口运营企业签署友好港口合作协议，双方将深化航运物流、商贸往来、码头运营及绿色低碳发展等领域合作。

对多数海外参会代表而言，此次走访不只聚焦货物运输业务，更意在依托贸易与港口合作，搭建更为紧密的国际产业合作纽带。

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