#China #Silk Road #Xiamen #Maritime Forum

The 7th Silk Road Maritime International Cooperation Forum

The coastal city of Xiamen in East China's Fujian Province recently hosted the 7th Silk Road Maritime International Cooperation Forum, attracting more than 1,500 participants from over 30 countries and regions. This remarkable gathering brought together government officials, representatives from international organizations, industry experts, and executives from the port and shipping sectors, all aimed at boosting collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

With this year’s theme of "Seamless Port and Shipping, Boundless Silk Road Trade," the forum sought to solidify maritime transport connectivity along the Maritime Silk Road. The aim was to promote exchange and collaboration within the port and shipping industries, which are essential for enhancing global trade and connectivity.

During the opening ceremony, the Fujian Provincial Port Group, which organized the event, revealed the 2025 Silk Road Maritime Blue Book. This report outlines a second-phase plan for creating an international shipping service platform, complemented by the introduction of China’s inaugural green evaluation system for ports and shipping lines. This initiative is a significant step toward environmentally conscious practices in the maritime sector.

Significantly, the organizer announced the addition of 15 new sea shipment routes, enhancing the network to a total of 148 routes that now connect 150 ports across 48 countries. Furthermore, the forum acted as a platform for 10 cooperation agreements to be signed between 27 Chinese and international enterprises, alongside the induction of 14 new members into the Silk Road Maritime Association.

At a closed-door round table discussion, participants adopted the 2025 Xiamen Initiative of the Silk Road Maritime, which emphasized the necessity for stronger regional integration of ports, shipping, and trading systems as an essential component of regional cooperation.

Highlighting the importance of technology and sustainable development, this year's forum introduced the Zheng He Navigation academic achievement sharing symposium, establishing a connection between the legacy of the renowned Ming-dynasty navigator and contemporary advancements in AI and green financing. Additionally, participants engaged in six thematic forums that covered an array of topics, including meteorological navigation, artificial intelligence, maritime finance, the establishment of smart ports, and the development of logistics corridors to stimulate trade growth.

The Silk Road Maritime Association, which has been operational for seven years, has transformed into the first maritime shipping-centered international logistics service platform supporting the BRI. Currently, it operates 148 named sea shipment routes, serving 150 ports across 48 regions and consisting of 367 members from diverse fields including shipping, energy, and manufacturing. Since its establishment, the association has successfully managed over 24 million TEU in container services and carried out more than 20,000 container sailings, surpassing a general cargo throughput of 27 million tons and recording a trade volume exceeding 26 billion yuan (approximately $3.6 billion).

Since its inaugural event in 2019, the forum has established itself as a pivotal platform for dialogue and cooperation in the international shipping and logistics industry. Attracting over 200 speakers and 4,000 delegates yearly, it facilitates crucial discussions among key stakeholders, including high-ranking officials from bodies like UN ESCAP and the World Bank, as well as leaders from major shipping and port companies such as COSCO Shipping, Maersk, and the ports of Hamburg, Antwerp, and Gdansk.

As the 7th Silk Road Maritime International Cooperation Forum closes, it reaffirms its critical role in promoting connectivity and collaboration to ensure that the Maritime Silk Road continues to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.