The Shandong Port Group (SPG), currently the world's largest port operator, held a joint meeting with seven cities in Shandong on Oct 25 in order to deepen high-level strategic cooperation with these cities.

In order to accelerate its pace in the construction of a world-class port operator and implement the strategic plan for Shandong to develop into a demonstration zone with great transport strength, SPG put forward an initiative earlier this year to hold joint meetings with 16 cities across Shandong.

Last month, the group held its first joint meeting with the municipal development and reform commissions of Shandong's nine cities. A joint meeting was held on Oct 25 with other seven cities in Shandong, namely Zibo, Zaozhuang, Jining, Tai'an, Dezhou, Liaocheng, and Heze, which are expected to advance the group's pace of integrated development among cities, industries and ports, as well as promote the group's high-quality development.

Huo Gaoyuan, chairman of SPG, said that since its establishment in 2019, the group has accelerated its transition to a model of green development and promoted the development of port-vicinity industries. In the past three years, initial progress has been made in integrated reform.

Huo added that the group is making efforts to cultivate a comprehensive service system featuring modern shipping, and accelerating its transformation from a traditional port operator to a hub port connecting major domestic and international ports, and a trade and financial port in Shandong.

SPG, currently the world's largest port operator, holds a joint meeting with seven cities in Shandong on Oct 25. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]