On August 28, Jiangsu International Maritime Supply‑Demand Conference was held in Nanjing. Vice Governor Ma Shiguang attended and addressed the meeting.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has required that Jiangsu expand high‑standard opening‑up, explore global markets, achieve better connectivity with the international economic flows, and build a two-way open hub with global appeal. The meeting stressed that local governments and competent departments should improve port functions with coordinated efforts, promote differentiated development of seaports, river ports and inland ports, and strengthen the coordinated operation of port clusters. Zooming in on building a water‑borne Jiangsu, efforts need to be intensified to strengthen linkage among airports, land ports, seaports, and information ports as well as two-way openness, with a view to building a demonstration zone for high‑quality development of multimodal transport. Public platforms for multimodal transport need to be strengthened and used better, and long‑term cooperation mechanisms need to be established, so as to foster a virtuous cycle whereby ports drive industries, shipping boosts trade, and trade empowers ports. Companies’ needs should be given high priority with proactive services delivered to continuously cut cross‑border logistics costs. AI shall be used more to improve the efficiency of port operations and logistics.

The conference attracted representatives of 85 key ports, shipping companies, cargo owners, freight forwarders and financial institutions from both inside and outside Jiangsu. Jiangsu Provincial Department of Transport, relevant prefecture‑level cities and port enterprises gave separate presentations, while representatives from six companies shared their insights. A total of 14 projects were signed on site, covering port logistics, smart port development, new‑energy vessels, supply chain security, foreign trade industrial supporting services and other fields.