On Sept. 3 China opened the China–Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Port
Economic Cooperation Center in Tianjin. The center will focus on port clearance
innovation, maritime facilitation cooperation and clustering of the
port-and-shipping industry, aiming to boost customs efficiency and intelligence
supervision for agri-food trade among SCO members. It will provide 24/7 policy
advice, approval guidance, agent services and coordination for vessels serving
SCO routes, and promote export of port infrastructure and operations-management
technologies, supporting multiple projects to land in Tianjin Binhai New Area’s
port-and-shipping industrial cluster.