The integration of China's port system into global container shipping

There are many controversial issues concerning the relationships between container shipping lines, international port operators and the evolution of China's port system. We first present the factors linked with the transformation of the Pacific Rim transport environment resulting from increase container trade. This is followed by an analysis of China's port system. We argue that China is characterized by a ‘divided’ maritime transport system composed of three regions. The Chinese port system is marked by four interrelated transformations: port privatization, port expansion, modification of transactional networks and the emergence of a new business environment. The paper concludes on the need to upgrade China's port development policies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.