On 25 August, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang led the staff of the Chinese Embassy in the UK on a study tour to COSCO Shipping Logistics UK, and London Gateway where the logistics base of the company is located.
During the visit, Ambassador Zheng was briefed by Wang Gang, Chairman and CEO of COSCO Shipping Logistics UK. Since starting its operations in the UK, the company has seized the market opportunities, given full play to its featured advantages, and achieved rapid development in shipping, warehousing and distribution businesses. It has been playing a positive role in providing services to Chinese enterprises in the UK and promoting China-UK economic and trade cooperation. As business keeps growing, the company plans to strengthen cooperation with DP World London Gateway to expand overseas warehouse facilities.
At the headquarters of London Gateway, Ambassador Zheng visited the port facilities and logistics base. According to Oliver Treneman, Park Development Director, London Gateway run by DP World is the second largest container port in the London region and is now linked on a weekly-basis with 51 countries and more than 90 ports all over the world. The automated cranes imported from Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC) have greatly improved the handling efficiency. The logistic park inside the port area hopes to attract more Chinese enterprises.
Ambassador Zheng spoke highly of the rapid development of COSCO Shipping Logistics UK and London Gateway and expressed support for the long-term cooperation between the two sides. During his discussions with the management teams of the two enterprises, Ambassador Zheng talked about the Covid prevention and control measures and economic and social development situation in China. He pointed out that China adheres to the policy of “preventing the COVID-19 outbreak, stabilizing the economy, and securing continued development”. On the one hand, China continues the precise and highly efficient prevention measures through the dynamic zero-COVID policy, maintaining the world’s lowest infection rate and fatality figure. On the other hand, China keeps promoting economic and social development by adopting and implementing a series of policies and measures that are result-oriented, keep the economy operating in a reasonable range and maintain its stability and growing trend. The long-term trend of sound development of the Chinese economy remains unchanged.
Ambassador Zheng pointed out that the steady growth of the Chinese economy has injected positive energy and impetus to the world economy in the face of the downward pressure on the world economy, high inflation and tight energy and food supplies. All countries should adhere to the concept of free trade, ensure unimpeded global supply chains and strengthen economic and trade cooperation, which are the most effective weapons against the common challenges from the global economic downturn. He expressed hope that COSCO Shipping Logistics UK and DP World London Gateway could strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, provide better services to Chinese and British businesses and make greater contribution to promoting mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Counsellor Hua Mei, wife of Ambassador Zheng, Minister Bao Ling, Minister Counsellor Zeng Rong and Counsellor Kong Xiangwen of the Chinese Embassy in the UK attended the event.
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DP World London Gateway is located on the north bank of the River Thames in Thurrock, Essex, 48 km east of central London. It is a deep-water Port and the second largest container terminal in London region. At present, the annual throughput of the port is more than 1.8 million TEUs. The logistics park within London Gateway has an area of nearly one million square metres and is expanding the development of warehouse and distribution facilities.
