SE China's Fujian steps up efforts to strengthen its role as core area of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road

A cargo ship is berthed at the Yuanhai Container Terminal in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian province, as cargo handling operations are underway. (Photo/Zeng Demeng)

Thriving on the sea, southeast China's Fujian province has made notable progress in expanding marine cooperation and strengthening international exchanges.

The World Maritime Equipment Conference 2026, held in Fuzhou, the provincial capital, brought together 175 guests from 43 Belt and Road partner countries to explore industrial collaboration in the marine economy.

Juncao technology, developed in Fujian, has been introduced to more than 100 countries and regions, with demonstration bases established in 24 countries.

In the first three quarters of this year, Fujian's imports and exports with Belt and Road partner countries reached 816.33 billion yuan ($122.38 billion), up 9 percent year on year, marking a record high for the same period.

In recent years, the province has continued to improve its integrated transport network spanning sea, land, and air, intensify economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, striving to strengthen its role as a core area of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road by facilitating global connectivity, promoting win-win cooperation, and fostering closer ties among peoples.

Accelerated infrastructure construction has helped forge closer economic and trade ties for Fujian.

Business representatives discuss cooperation on marine equipment at the fourth Fujian International Marine Equipment Expo in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian province, Oct. 17, 2026. (Photo/Xie Guiming)

On November 7, the cargo ship Xin Xu Zhou, loaded with Chinese-made goods, slowly departed from the Haitian Terminal of Xiamen Port in Xiamen, Fujian, heading for Southeast Asia along a shipping route of the Silk Road Maritime, China's first comprehensive international logistics service brand and platform centered on maritime shipping under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"Since its inauguration eight years ago, the Silk Road Maritime shipping network has expanded to 160 routes, connecting 153 ports in 50 countries and regions, while its alliance has grown to 393 members," said Li Nan, general manager of Fujian Silk Road Maritime Operation Co. Ltd, the operator of the Silk Road Maritime brand.

On land, China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains operating from Fujian now reach more than 30 cities in 13 countries, serving as a vital transport link connecting inland regions with the sea.

In the air, the province is steadily advancing its air connectivity project under the BRI. The airports in Fuzhou and Xiamen, the province's two major gateway hubs, both serve as regional aviation hubs, forming an extensive network of international air links.

With access to China's vast central and western hinterland, and situated between Yangtze River Delta to the north and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to the south, Fujian is leveraging its strategic position as a transport corridor to continuously strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation and deepen industrial and supply chain connections. These efforts are translating into tangible benefits for all partners.

By promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, Fujian has continuously expanded its international "circle of friends."

Participants in a Juncao technology training session for developing countries held at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University display their Juncao "creations." (Photo courtesy of Fujian Daily)

On October 17, representatives from 24 countries gathered in Fuzhou for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Local Government Cooperation and International Friendship Cities Dialogue. Discussions covered topics including global governance and the marine economy, resulting in seven cooperation documents.

The participants also visited landmarks including Sanfangqixiang, or the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, a historic and cultural block in Fuzhou, to experience the city's unique charm, reflected in its openness and inclusiveness in the new era and the harmonious coexistence of its historical heritage and modern life.

"Fuzhou has a rich history and its people are friendly and kind. I would strongly recommend that more people visit the city," said Saullo Branco, Asian markets director at Investe Piauí, Brazil .

To date, Fujian has established sister-province, state, city and district relationships with 138 local governments in 53 countries. Cultural exchanges have played an important role in expanding the province's international network of friendships.

Fujian has strengthened international cooperation to boost people's livelihood, fostering bonds of friendship that resonate deeply with the peoples of many countries.

On October 16, 22 participants from four countries, including Central African Republic, visited China National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University to receive systematic training in the cultivation of Juncao, a hybrid grass originally developed in China for mushroom cultivation, and mushroom production.

The university has organized more than 480 international training sessions at home and abroad, attracting approximately 23,000 participants from 118 countries.

At the college of information and electronic engineering of Liming Vocational University, located in Quanzhou, Fujian, a Malaysian student was seen dismantling a car alongside an instructor.

"Here, I have the opportunity to learn about many advanced new energy vehicles. The combination of theoretical instruction and hands-on training has been extremely beneficial to me," the student said.

Fujian has also sent 21 medical assistance teams to Senegal and 18 to Botswana, providing medical services to more than 6.9 million patients and performing over 200,000 surgeries.

Meanwhile, the province continues to expand high-standard opening-up in international education cooperation and develop its "Study in Fujian" brand.

By carrying out a range of "small and beautiful" livelihood projects, Fujian is helping deliver tangible benefits and improve the lives of people in Belt and Road partner countries.