To thoroughly implement the strategic cooperation agreement between COSCO SHIPPING Group and the Hainan Provincial Government, Mr. Qian Weizhong, Chairperson of COSCO SHIPPING (Hong Kong), led a delegation to visit the Department of Transport of Hainan Province on October 16. They held discussions with Mr. Si Naichao, Director-General of the Department of Transport of Hainan Province.

Si Naichao extended a warm welcome to Qian Weizhong and his delegation, expressing gratitude for COSCO SHIPPING's strong support to the industrial development of Hainan Harbor & Shipping Holding Co., Ltd. and the construction of the Free Trade Port (FTP). He emphasised that the Hainan FTP is currently at a critical stage of deepening advancement. He expressed hope that COSCO SHIPPING Group would fully leverage its experience and advantages in the shipping industry chain, further strengthen resource investment, and build the Hainan Regional Headquarters into a practical platform for implementing the Spirit of the Important Instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, an organisational platform for Party building leading development, a promotion platform for participating in major national strategies, and an action platform for aligning COSCO SHIPPING's business development with the Hainan FTP. The aim is to jointly promote central-local cooperation into broader areas and deeper levels. The Department of Transport of Hainan Province will continue to provide high-quality service support, actively assist in coordinating and resolving issues in the platform's development, and fully support COSCO SHIPPING in achieving better and faster development during the construction of the FTP.

Qian Weizhong expressed gratitude for the long-term policy support and practical services provided by the Department of Transport of Hainan Province for COSCO SHIPPING's development in Hainan. He introduced the Group's business layout in Hainan and the functional positioning of its Hainan Regional Headquarters. He stated that the Group, in implementing national strategies and deeply integrating into the construction of Hainan FTP's "Three Zones and One Centre," has achieved a series of substantial results. After its inauguration, the Hainan Regional Headquarters will fully serve as a strategic pivot for the Group's contributions to the construction of Hainan FTP, taking the lead in coordinating the Group's resources. Aligning Hainan FTP's needs with COSCO SHIPPING's capabilities, it will continue to deploy efforts in areas such as the construction of international hub seaports, digital supply chain transformation, green and low-carbon development, and the shipping service industry. Furthermore, it will expand cooperation oriented towards ASEAN business, accelerate the establishment of a modern logistics system of "passage + hub + network" in Hainan, strive to achieve cooperative outcomes in more fields, create with full force a model of central-local collaboration, and contribute to the Hainan FTP's development to new levels with high-standard shipping services.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged in-depth views on new industrial opportunities such as logistics supply chain construction, shipping service support, and cross-border business expansion after Hainan achieves independent customs operation.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Director-General Yin Jie of the Department of Transport of Hainan Province, Chief Engineer Zhang Yuejia; Chief Planner Peng Chong, and relevant personnels from the General Office and Water Transport Division; Deputy General Manager Wang Feng of Hainan Harbor & Shipping Holding Co., Ltd.; as well as Director Liu Haitao; Vice President Lin Jian, Assistant to President Jia Guangchao of COSCO SHIPPING (Hong Kong), and relevant personnels from the Public Relations Division.