To the transport departments (commissions) of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, all units subordinate to the Ministry, and all departments and bureaus within the Ministry:

This Opinion is formulated to implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on accelerating the building of a country with strong transportation network and constructing a modern, high-quality national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network, to promote the implementation of the national port and waterway layout plan, to optimize and upgrade the national water transport facilities network, to drive high-quality development of the water transport industry, and to strive to write a new chapter in accelerating the building of a country with strong transportation network in the water transport sector.

I. General Requirements

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions and important instructions on transportation, base ourselves on the new development stage, fully, accurately, and comprehensively apply the new development philosophy, serve the acceleration of building a new development pattern, coordinate development and security, strengthen strategic planning and planning guidance, reinforce overall coordination and ministry-province synergy, highlight adequate safeguards and appropriate forward-looking planning, accelerate the building of the national port hub system, comprehensively tackle national high-grade waterways, remove bottlenecks and blockages in inland river shipping, implement the inland water transport system connectivity project, focus on advancing integrated development, build a modern port and waterway system with high quality, and comprehensively promote the implementation of the national plan.

II. Strengthening Strategic Research and Planning for Water Transport in the New Era

(1) Strengthening research on major strategic issues.

Centering on the overall requirements for accelerating the building of a country with strong transportation network, the Ministry organizes systematic and forward-looking research on major strategies, major policies, major projects, and technological innovation in water transport development. With joint efforts of the Ministry and provinces, we will deeply advance research on issues including water transport serving the acceleration of building a new development pattern, key technical issues in the construction of national high-grade waterways, policies for the scientific utilization and effective protection of port shoreline resources, as well as the planning of reserve port sites at the Yangtze River Estuary and Pearl River Estuary and river-sea intermodal transport corridors in the Yangtze River Delta water network region. Relevant provinces should, in conjunction with implementing the spirit of the Central Committee and their own work arrangements, conduct in-depth research on major issues such as high-quality development of the water transport economy suited to local characteristics, port-industry-city synergy in the new era, and port-shipping-trade integration.

(2) Scientifically carrying out layout planning and master plan formulation.

In accordance with higher-level plans, we will organize the formulation of layout plans for ports and waterways in key regions such as the Yangtze River Delta and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao, as well as at the provincial level. Provinces with both coastal and inland waters should coordinate the synergistic development of coastal and inland rivers, and of ports and waterways. The 11 major ports newly incorporated into the national plan should, in principle, complete their port master plans before 2025. In formulating each port's master plan, it is necessary to coordinate the intensive and optimized utilization of existing port facilities and the scientific planning of incremental port resources, explore a planning method combining rigidity and flexibility, and carry out environmental impact assessment work as required.

(3) Deepening research on medium- and long-term construction tasks for port and shipping infrastructure.

Provincial transport authorities should, benchmarking against the national plan, organize research on medium- and long-term construction tasks (through 2035) for port and shipping infrastructure. The Ministry supports incorporating key projects therein into relevant *** strategies and plans, and treating them as an important basis for formulating the industry's five-year development plans. Coastal ports should focus on specialized terminals for key cargo categories, multimodal transport port areas, and the optimized utilization of existing facilities, and reasonably determine construction goals, key projects, and phased implementation plans. Inland water transport should focus on the task of bringing 25,000 kilometers of national high-grade waterways up to standard, keep in view the two time nodes of 2030 and 2035, clarify regional development and construction goals, sort out key projects, and establish and improve promotion mechanisms.

III. Advancing the Construction of a Multi-tiered National Port Hub System

(4) Accelerating the creation of *** port clusters.

Focusing on the development requirements of national regional strategies, we will optimize the functional layout of ports and improve regional logistics systems, support port and shipping enterprises in extending service chains and expanding service networks, and jointly promote the clustered and integrated development of regional ports. In the Bohai Rim region, we will strengthen regional synergy, promote the optimized layout and common development of the Tianjin-Hebei, Shandong, and Liaoning coastal port clusters, strengthen the joint construction, joint management, and shared use of anchorages in Tianjin-Hebei, and create *** port clusters. In the Yangtze River Delta region, with Shanghai Port and Ningbo Zhoushan Port as the leaders, we will coordinate the riverside and coastal areas, improve the layout of transport systems for key cargo categories, optimize the construction and management of regional ports, waterways, and anchorages, promote port-shipping-trade integrated development, and jointly build a globally radiating shipping hub. In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, we will consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international shipping center, strengthen the international shipping service functions of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, coordinate and link national high-grade waterways such as the Xijiang, Beijiang, and Dongjiang rivers, and enhance the capacity level and radiating and driving role of *** port clusters. We will actively develop the Southeast Coast and Beibu Gulf port clusters, and accelerate the cultivation of the middle Yangtze and upper Yangtze port clusters.

(5) Continuously enhancing the development capacity of international hub ports.

Centering on the positioning as important nodes of the global shipping system, we will conduct in-depth research on the strategic goals, construction paths, and factor requirements for the medium- and long-term development of international hub ports, focus on building world-class port and shipping facilities and land-sea two-way radiating networks, promote efficient linkage and integrated development with port-type national logistics hubs, build global shipping hubs and international logistics centers, and remove bottlenecks and blockages in international logistics. We support international hub ports in taking the lead in trials in serving the joint building of the "Belt and Road," implementing major regional strategies, building free trade ports (pilot zones), and building smart and green ports, so as to lead the high-quality transformational development of ports in the new era.

(6) Strengthening the hub functions of major ports.

We will give full play to the backbone role of major ports in foreign trade and bulk material transport, and strengthen their comprehensive hub functions. Adhering to the principle of orderly and moderate development with appropriate forward-looking planning, we will fully tap the capacity of existing facilities and optimize the supply of incremental facilities. Leveraging the convergence advantages of port logistics, trade flows, and capital flows, we will build platforms for bulk commodity trading and logistics finance, expand commercial service functions, and extend industrial and trade chains.

(7) Strengthening the support capacity of specialized terminals in transport systems for key cargo categories.

We will strengthen the effective supply of terminals in transport systems for key cargo categories, and enhance the capacity to safeguard national economic operation and the security of industrial and supply chains. We will steadily advance the construction of important container port areas at ports such as Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo Zhoushan, Suzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beibu Gulf, and Yangpu, and improve the international connectivity and hub functions of container trunk-line ports. We will enhance the unloading capacity of large ore terminals at ports such as Tangshan, Rizhao, Ningbo Zhoushan, and Beibu Gulf; advance the construction of large crude oil terminals at Yingkou, Qingdao, Ningbo Zhoushan, and Xiamen, and improve the layout of crude oil terminals. We will build LNG terminals in an orderly manner, enhance the transshipment and storage capacity of grain terminals, and promote the construction of ro-ro terminals for commercial vehicles.

IV. Accelerating the Planning and Construction of National High-Grade Waterways

(8) Giving full play to the role of trunk waterways as main corridors.

We will optimize the main trunk corridors, orderly advance the capacity expansion and upgrading of trunk waterways such as the Yangtze River main line, the Xijiang shipping main line, the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, and the main stream of the Huai River, and build water transport main corridors traversing east-west and radiating north-south. For the Yangtze River main line, we will focus on upgrading the upper reaches, removing bottlenecks in the middle reaches, optimizing the lower reaches, accelerate the preliminary work and construction of the new Three Gorges water transport channel, and rationally develop and utilize the Yangtze River Estuary waterway. For the Xijiang shipping main line, we will focus on accelerating the extension of the Class I waterway to Nanning, steadily advancing ship lock capacity expansion, and optimizing navigation conditions of the sea-going waterway. For the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal and the main stream of the Huai River, we will focus on promoting ship lock capacity expansion and waterway regulation projects. We will continue to advance the construction of the Pinglu Canal, and guide the deepening of preliminary research and demonstration for the Xianggui, Ganyue, and Zhegan canals.

(9) Comprehensively enhancing the smoothness of waterways in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta water networks.

We will jointly advance waterway integration in the Yangtze River Delta region, comprehensively advance the construction of substandard waterway sections with a focus on container river-sea intermodal transport corridors, strengthen the efficient connection of river-sea intermodal transport corridor waterway standards, ship lock dimensions, and transport organization with the Yangtze River Delta *** port cluster, and accelerate the construction of inland waterways such as the Dalu Line and the Hangyong Canal. We will optimize and upgrade the Pearl River Delta waterway network, focus on accelerating the construction of the Beijiang and Dongjiang waterways, upgrade the grades of waterways such as the Shunde Waterway and the Liansharong Waterway, and efficiently connect with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao *** port cluster.

(10) Giving priority to removing bottlenecks and blockages in inter-provincial national high-grade waterways.

In accordance with the principle of "standard alignment and coordinated timing," we will implement the plan for advancing the construction of bottleneck sections of inter-provincial national high-grade waterways, and for prominent problems, promote the establishment of a promotion mechanism guided by ministries and commissions and jointly built by provinces, so as to effectively remove bottlenecks and blockages. Relevant transport authorities should, together with relevant enterprises, deepen research on high-dam navigation issues such as the Jinsha River, and focus on accelerating the construction of projects such as the Pengshui Ship Lock expansion on the Wujiang River, the Yutan Hub on the Yuanshui River, and the Longtan Ship Lift on the Beipanjiang-Hongshui River. Sichuan and Chongqing should join forces to effectively advance the preliminary work and construction of the Jikou Hub on the Jialing River. For the Yangtze River Delta water network waterways, we will focus on accelerating the construction of inter-provincial waterways such as the Sushen Inner Port Line, the Qinhuai River, the Shuiyang River, the Zhajiasu Line, and the Shaying River.

(11) Focusing on tackling the construction of substandard sections of tributary waterways.

In accordance with the principle of "overall planning and advancing one by one," and in light of transport development needs, we will vigorously and orderly advance the construction of substandard sections of tributary waterways and enhance the connectivity between trunk and tributary waterways. We will accelerate the construction of key waterways in the stage of comprehensive upgrading, such as the Ganjiang, Hanjiang, Yuanshui, Wujiang, Jialingjiang, Minjiang, Tuohui River, Youjiang, Beipanjiang-Hongshui River, Liuqianjiang, and Minjiang rivers, and coordinate the construction of other tributary national high-grade waterways and border and international navigable river waterways. We will coordinate and safeguard water for navigation, promote inland waterway construction, advance the integrated development of shipping and water conservancy, and achieve comprehensive utilization of water resources.

V. Promoting Integrated High-Quality Development

(12) Utilizing port shorelines intensively and efficiently.

We will strictly manage the use of port shorelines, scientifically plan, effectively protect, and rationally utilize precious port shoreline resources, adhere to the orientation of public, intensive, and specialized use, and improve the efficiency and level of port resource utilization. We will advance the tapping of existing potential and the optimization of incremental resources, serve and safeguard national strategies, use sea areas scientifically and rationally, and leave room for future development. We will continue to advance the implementation of the special pilot task of optimizing and upgrading port functions under the building of a country with strong transportation network, use points to drive broader areas, and do a good job in guidance, recognition of results, and promotion and application.

(13) Accelerating the development of multimodal transport.

We will optimize the transport structure, strengthen the shift of bulk bulk cargo from road to rail and from road to water, and effectively reduce the logistics costs of the whole society. Keeping in view the construction of a comprehensive transport system, we will give play to the comparative advantages of water transport and promote integrated and coordinated development with other transport modes. We will remove bottlenecks and blockages in multimodal transport, strengthen the overall planning and effective connection of various transport modes with port hubs, and focus on improving the comprehensive service level of ports. Where conditions permit, newly built bulk dry bulk and container operation areas should simultaneously plan and construct railway lines into the port. With a focus on rail-water intermodal transport and river-sea intermodal transport, we will strengthen transport organization, information sharing, and rule alignment, and vigorously develop a multimodal transport system with "one document throughout" and "one container throughout" as important carriers. We will guide and encourage port and shipping enterprises to develop high-quality, specialized, full-chain customized logistics services, actively develop end-to-end logistics and supply chain management, and develop specialized logistics for cold chain, commercial vehicles, and chemicals.

(14) Promoting the coordinated development of ports, industries, and cities.

We will strengthen the overall planning and functional support between ports and the industrial parks and logistics parks behind them, reinforce production-related support, and support the development of port-adjacent industries, the logistics industry, and port and shipping services. We will study the establishment of spatial buffer and functional coordination zones at the port-city interface, and encourage the building of port collection and distribution systems appropriately separated from urban traffic. In conjunction with the territorial spatial planning of the region, we will orderly advance the withdrawal, renewal, and transformation of old port areas, and actively plan the transformational development of old port areas. We will scientifically guide the construction of urban tourism passenger terminals and tourism waterways, and orderly promote the integrated development of transportation and tourism.

(15) Promoting smart, green, and safe development.

We will improve the organizational and intelligent level of water transport. We will strengthen the leadership of science and technology and data empowerment, and comprehensively advance the construction of new infrastructure. Relying on major projects and key projects, we will carry out organized scientific and technological research, promote the R&D and application of automated and intelligent operation technologies for port loading and unloading and warehouse and yard operations, and make key technologies independent and controllable, and strengthen the collection and aggregation of monitoring video and production and operation data of key ports and waterways. We will strengthen the intelligent construction of national high-grade waterways such as the Yangtze River and Xijiang River. We will build green ports and green waterways, encourage the construction and use of related facilities such as photovoltaics, wind energy, and shore power, promote the application of new and clean energy, strengthen ecological and environmental protection and pollution control, conserve and intensively use resources such as land, and promote the comprehensive utilization of dredged soil. We will accelerate the enlargement and standardization of water transport equipment. Focusing on key areas, we will enhance the safety and resilience of the water transport system, and improve disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities and the quality and durability of facilities. We will strengthen the maintenance of public-welfare terminals such as support systems.

VI. Strengthening Organization and Implementation

We will strengthen overall coordination and advance in a coordinated manner. The Ministry will support and guide provincial transport authorities in implementing work tasks. Provincial transport authorities should improve work promotion mechanisms, consolidate work responsibilities and progress requirements, and refine and improve target tasks and main measures. We will strengthen funding guarantees, actively expand investment and financing channels for inland water transport, implement established expenditure responsibilities in accordance with the reform requirements for fiscal powers and expenditure responsibilities in the transportation field, deepen research on innovative investment and financing policies, encourage banking and insurance institutions to increase credit and insurance funding support in accordance with laws and regulations, and strengthen the linkage between government investment and financial credit allocation.

Ministry of Transport

June 6, 2024