On 13-15 June 2018, a delegation led by NISCSS President Wu Shicun visited Rotterdam, the Netherlands for field studies. It was continued as part of its mission to learn successful experiences and practice from European maritime sectors so as to inform policy making of Hainan in its development as a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and Free Trade Port (FTP) with Chinese characteristics.

The delegation visited various government and business entities such as the Rotterdam Haven of Customs Administration of the Netherlands, Port of Rotterdam Authority and Euromax Terminal Rotterdam. In-depth discussions were held with experts and practitioners of those entities, along with representatives of Chinese enterprises such as China COSCO Shipping and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZMPC) in the Netherlands. The focus of discussion included the course of development of the Port of Rotterdam, its management model, development goal, and contribution to local socio-economic development; the successful practice of Dutch Customs in facilitating secure, efficient and integrated custom clearance and risk management; as well as business environment and policy schemes of the Netherlands in promoting investment and innovation.

The delegation also visited Erasmus University Rotterdam, and held discussions with its faculty members on topics focusing on the global trend in port and shipping industries, as well as policy recommendations and suggestion on legal arrangement for Hainan with regard to its development as FTZ and FTP. These scholars and experts were from the School of Law, School of Economics, School of History, Culture and Communication, and School of Social and Behavioural Sciences of the University, specializing in various disciplines such as tax, financial and corporate law, Chinese law, governance of sustainable mobility, business economics as well as social and economic history.

On June 15, President Wu Shicun met with Zhang Guosheng, Economic & Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy to the Netherlands. Dr. Wu and Counsellor Zhang exchanged views on the spirit of innovation and far-sightedness in Dutch tradition, national development strategy of the Netherlands as well as Sino-Dutch relations in trade and economy. President Wu also met with Professor Nico Schrijver of Leiden University Law School, and exchanged views with him on legal issues related to the South China Sea.

The Delegation at the Rotterdam Haven of Customs Administration

The Delegation at the Port of Rotterdam Authority

The Delegation with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte

President Wu Shicun with Zhang Guosheng, Economic & Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy to the Netherlands

President Wu Shicun with Prof. Nico Schrijver of Public International Law at Leiden Law School, and Prof. Yuwen Li, Director of Erasmus China Law Centre at the Law School of Erasmus University Rotterdam