The World Shipping (China) Summit 2004 will open at the China World Hotel in Beijing July 15 with the theme "China Factor".

The summit will discuss four issues: China's economy and shipping demands, China's container liner shipping focus, China's bulk shipping focus and investment opportunities in China.

Key Chinese government officials, senior figures from renowned international and domestic companies and institutions engaged in shipping and related businesses, investment banks, and globally recognized research and consultancy experts and academics will be invited to speak on all of the issues, which will forge an in-depth debate on the structural impact of the "China Factor" both on global trade and the shipping markets. The annual summit will also offer participants a clearer picture of China's future trade requirements and its role in the world's maritime industries.

The world's shipping markets have exhibited unprecedented growth and prosperity in 2003, with China in the spotlight. Indeed, the so-called "China Factor" has been the major driving force behind the robust rallies in all major shipping market sectors: container liner shipping, dry bulk shipping and oil shipping over the past year.

Since China entered the World Trade Organization in late 2001, the country's economic development has enjoyed a great boost and foreign direct investment has soared. This has spearheaded many changes -- like China increasingly taking on a role as the "factory of the world". In turn, this has created a voracious appetite for raw materials and energy products, which is leading to a complete shift in world trading patterns.

So, how will the world change in the future and what impact will China have on raw material suppliers, trade partners, logistics providers and shipping companies? What will the effects of the restrictive policies the Chinese government is implementing on some industries at present be on the shipping industry? And what will the "Chinese factors" contribute to the structural changes on the international shipping market? To create an information platform for a first-tier discussion on this issue, China's largest shipping group, COSCO, has teamed up with an internationally renowned maritime consultancy, Drewry Shipping Consultants in London, England, and one of China's largest shipping media groups, Maritime China, to hold the event.

The summit will foster an exchange platform for international and Chinese enterprises to master the future market pulse, discern client needs and create commercial opportunities for parties involved.

The World Shipping Summit is organized by COSCO Group, Drewry Shipping Consultants and Maritime China, with support from the Ministry of Communications of the People's Republic of China, China Ship Owner's Association, the China Association of Shipping Agency, China International Freight Forwarders Association, the China Shipper's Association, China Ports and Harbors Association, China Association of the Shipbuilding Trade, and the Society of Maritime Industries.

Confirmed top-level speakers will include: Long Yongtu, secretary-general of Boao Forum for Asia; Wang Zhongming, director of the State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission of the State Council; Lu Jianhua, director of the Department of Trade Development of the Ministry of Commerce of China; Zhang Guofa, deputy director of the Department of Water Transportation of the Ministry of Commerce of China; Takao Kusakari, chairman of NYK Line; Yasuhide Sakingaga, president of K Line; Wei Jiafu, group president and chief executive officer (CEO) of COSCO; Chang Dechuan, Chairman and CEO of Qingdao Port Corporation; Jing Tianliang, chairman of China's Coal Export & Import Co; Cai Xiyou, vice president of Sinopec; Liu Yong Shun, president of Bao Steel International, and so on.

The two-day summit will include an extra day of entertainment and outside activities. For detailed event info, visit www.shippingsummit.com.

 (China Daily June 3, 2004)