To thoroughly implement the content of the deepened strategic cooperation agreement between the COSCO SHIPPING Group and the Hainan Provincial Government, Chairperson Qian Weizhong and President Zhu Changyu of COSCO SHIPPING (Hong Kong) led a delegation to visit the Department of Transport of Hainan Province on November 4. They held discussions with Zhang Bin, Director-General of the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province.

Zhang Bin extended a warm welcome to Qian Weizhong and the delegation, expressed appreciation for COSCO SHIPPING's long-term active participation in the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, and highlighted the latest progress in the preparations for the independent customs operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port, policy innovations in the commercial and circulation sectors, and the latest plans for regional coordinated development. He emphasised that Hainan is currently actively advancing the construction of the Free Trade Port, leveraging its unique advantages in location, policies, and ecology to attract the accelerated gathering of global resources. He expressed hope that COSCO SHIPPING would fully leverage its strengths in the shipping industry chain, enhance resource investment and business layout, and work with Hainan to build a new highland for high-level opening up. The Department of Commerce of Hainan Province will continue to optimise the business environment, providing full-chain support services such as policy coordination and resource coordination for COSCO SHIPPING's business expansion in Hainan.

Qian Weizhong expressed gratitude for the long-standing support and assistance from the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province for COSCO SHIPPING's development in Hainan and introduced COSCO SHIPPING's business layout in Hainan, the effectiveness of its contributions to the Free Trade Port construction, and the functional positioning of the Hainan Regional Headquarters. He stated that COSCO SHIPPING regards Hainan as an important hub in its global network and a key focus for strategic investment. The Hainan Regional Headquarters will organise and implement the requirements of the deepened strategic cooperation agreement signed between the Hainan Provincial Government and the COSCO SHIPPING Group on October 10, take the lead in coordinating the Group's resources. Leveraging the supportive policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port, it will actively promote the effective implementation of strategic cooperation in various areas, including the upgrade of international shipping hubs, the construction of modern logistics and supply chain systems, the agglomeration and development of high-end shipping services, and investment in green, low-carbon, and smart emerging industries. This will assist Hainan in building a modern industrial system with global competitiveness. Simultaneously, COSCO SHIPPING will fully support Hainan in all preparatory work for the independent customs operation before the end of 2025, contributing COSCO SHIPPING's strength to the high-quality development of the Free Trade Port.

The meeting was also attended by the relevant responsible persons from the Investment Promotion Office and Trade Services Office of the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province; Deputy General Manager Liu Hao of Hainan Harbor & Shipping Holdings; as well as Vice President Lin Jian, Assistant to President Jia Guangchao of COSCO SHIPPING (Hong Kong), and relevant personnels from the Operations Management Division and Public Relations Division.