Xinhua News Agency, Ningbo, May 15, Feature: The tide rises on the east coast, and the world shares this "port". Xinhua News Agency reporters Peng Songhan and Zheng Keyi

The sea water surges lightly, the waves come with the wind, and ten thousand tons of freighters shuttle through. Ningbo Zhoushan Port, a world-class deep-water port, ushered in a friendly appointment across national borders.

On the afternoon of May 14, on the eve of the 2025 meeting of the Advisory Committee of the "Belt and Road" International Cooperation Summit Forum was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang, members of the Advisory Committee from Egypt, the United Kingdom and other countries were invited to visit the Meishan Container Terminal, Zhoushan Port, Ningbo.

The giant ships were turning their directions between berths, and the cranes were spread like dragons... The busy scene of this world-class port attracted the attention of the committee members.

"It's so shocking!" Former Egyptian Prime Minister Sharaf pondered for a long time as he watched a super-large container ship slowly berthing. He recalled his past experience as a transportation engineer: "I have participated in many port projects, and compared with them, Ningbo Zhoushan Port is undoubtedly better."

In Sharaf's view, the world economy today is increasingly dependent on maritime transportation, and efficient ports are the cornerstone of global trade. He said excitedly: "Ningbo Zhoushan Port not only has advanced infrastructure, but also has powerful throughput capabilities and connectivity functions. It is a truly global interconnection model."

Ningbo Zhoushan Port, located on the coast of China's East China Sea, is the only port in the world with annual cargo throughput exceeding 1 billion tons for 16 consecutive years. More than 2 million tons of deep water berths are distributed in 20 port areas, building a port group that stretches 220 kilometers from north to south, making it a golden node in the Yangtze River Delta economic circle and an important fulcrum connecting the Middle East, Africa and Europe under the "Belt and Road" initiative.

"I have never seen such a grand port before." Former African Union Commission Vice Chairman Mwincha took photos while walking, stopping and looking at it carefully. "There is a lot of manpower, science and technology and innovative achievements here, which truly reflects the definition of what is 'world-class'," he said.

For Mwencha, Ningbo Zhoushan Port is not only a logistics hub, but also a banner that symbolizes multilateralism. "One of the goals of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative is to promote global multilateral cooperation and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results." Mwincha said, "Whether it is ports, highways, regional hubs or aviation networks are important parts of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. These infrastructures connect not only regions, but also development opportunities."

In the exhibition hall, the data jumping on the big screen reflects the operating rhythm of the port in real time. Through the digital platform, the members felt how the "smart port" can achieve efficient management and green development.

Fan Zhilian, chairman of the British Standard Life Insurance Group, nodded frequently while listening to the tour guide. "This is exactly the level that global hub ports should have." He noticed that the operation of Ningbo Zhoushan Port not only relies on hardware, but also on strong digital and systematic management capabilities, "This shows the image of an open and enterprising modern China."

For more than ten years since the "Belt and Road" initiative was proposed, port cooperation has always been a key area of ​​connectivity. The "bright pearl" of Gwadar Port in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Port of Piraeus Greece, the first modern deep-water port in Nigeria, Leki Deepwater Port... As the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" continues to deepen and implement, Chinese enterprises and partners of many countries work together to build modern ports better, not only broadening the maritime trade channels, but also bringing new opportunities for sustainable development to the joint construction of the country.

See tolerance in openness and seek win-win results in cooperation. A port has become a true portrayal of the interconnection and win-win cooperation between China and the world. The members participating in the visit said that witnessing the prosperity of Ningbo Zhoushan Port with their own eyes has allowed them to see the path and opportunities for countries to strengthen maritime cooperation in the future.

Sharav said that jointly building the "Belt and Road" is one of the most important international cooperation platforms today, carrying the development dreams of many countries and is of historic significance. "By strengthening connectivity and partnership, we have achieved close global connections. We jointly plan, build and share results."

The sunshine in early summer shines on the port, and freighters sail towards the distance with golden afterglow. Mwincha said emotionally: "I believe that the Belt and Road Initiative itself is a port of hope, a port of development, and a port of future."

The tide rises on the east coast, and the world shares this "port".