A 10,000-ton cargo roll-on/roll-off ship called 'Taipei Express' is docked at the Jinjing Port Area in Pingtan. [Photo by Lin Yingshu]

Taipei Express, laden with 151 containers, marked its triumphant arrival in Pingtan from Taipei. This sea titan measures 167 meters in length and boasts a staggering tonnage of 18,000 tons, making it the largest high-speed ro-ro vessel to grace the ports of Pingtan. A one-way trip from Pingtan to Taipei takes only 5.5 hours, opening up a horizon of new opportunities for burgeoning trade and maritime activities across the Taiwan Straits.

Pingtan Island, with its meandering 408 km coastlines and land enclave by 6,064 square kilometers of waterway speckled with 126 islets with rich marine life, has fostered an unceasing flow of maritime activities throughout the annals of time.

Offering hymns of praise to the almighty sea, the children of the island have risen from generation to generation, passing down their sailing stories. Braving the ocean with their oars, the people of Pingtan brought the golden age of the maritime and sailing industry, propelling the rise of maritime trades in major ports across the nation and seafaring fleets across the world.

Today, Pingtan is determined to strengthen its ocean strategy, develop the marine economy, and embrace a new era of shipping.

Witnessing the Evolution of Maritime Civilization

At the International Research Center for Austronesian Archaeology based in Pingtan, a canoe used by indigenous people from Papua New Guinea, is on display. [Photo by Chen Lanqing]

More than 6,000 years ago, the Baiyue people set off from Pingtan Island, crossed the Straits in canoes, and arrived in Taiwan, then spread out to settle in the Pacific Islands that were then uninhabited, giving rise to the "Austronesian language family."

The pottery and stone tools unearthed from the Keqiutou (Shell Mound) Site on Pingtan Island, a Neolithic cultural site excavated in 1985, provide evidence for this. Among the many ground stone tools excavated at the time, a "segmented stone adze" caught the attention of the world. The tool is named "segmented stone adze" for the ridge or its groove-shaped handle.

The discovery of prehistoric tools on Pingtan Island suggested pre-historic maritime activity on the island as well as the existence of ancient civilization. Archaeologists are compelled to believe Pingtan may be one of the early navigation grounds of the Baiyue people where the segmented adze was found.

Lin Gongwu, former deputy director of the Fujian Museum, who participated in the excavation, explained that the stone adze is a woodworking tool used to chop wood and make harpoons, fishing rods, and canoes. With canoes, the ancestors could cross the water, sail from island to island, and spread civilization across the ocean.

Over the millennia, the world has undergone tremendous changes. The great geographical discoveries later gave rise to maritime trade, and a long, sprawling sea routeconnecting Pingtan Island to the world.

As an important starting point for the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Fujian guarded the "maritime corridor" of the Taiwan Straits and the estuary of the Minjiang River. As the largest island in Fujian, Pingtan Island was a must-pass waypoint for the north-south route of the West Pacific Coast.

The Maritime Silk Road is a route fraught with bothperils and glory. "The Haitan Strait, located in the western part of Pingtan Island, is full of reefs and treacherous winds all year round. This stretch of waterway hosts a remarkable abundance of shipwreck sites along the Chinese mainland coast, akin to a veritable ‘underwater heritage museum,’” said Yang Zelin, director of the Underwater Archaeology Department of the Fujian Provincial Institute of Archaeology.

Among the sleeping ancient ships lies the Bowl Reef No.1. Over three centuries ago, during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, a ship loaded with exquisite Jingdezhen porcelain met its demise after running aground in the northern part of Pingtan Island.It slumbered on the seabed for years, enduring erosion by seawater and burial by sand and rocks, until it was rediscovered in June 2005.

Based on archaeological discoveries and historical records, the sunken ship included export porcelain with Western elements such as chrysanthemum-patterned porcelain plates, miniature porcelain, and high-footed covered cups, providing a glimpse into the glory of the Maritime Silk Road during the Qing Dynasty.

In addition to the Bowl Reef No.1, archaeologists have also discovered other shipwreck sites in the Haitan Strait, including the Bowl Reef No.2, the Five Dynasties shipwrecks, the Song Dynasty shipwrecks, and the Ming Dynasty shipwrecks. "These sites contain numerous pieces of ceramic ware, and by comparing their possible places of origin, departure ports, and other shipwreck sites discovered overseas during the same period, we can outline the trading network of the Maritime Silk Road at that time," said Yang.

Sailing the Seas with Endless Vigor

Pingtan islanders have developed a resilient and determined character, influenced by the trials and prospects presented by the sea. Their exposure to the vast ocean and immersion in maritime culture has instilled in them a sense of confidence and bravery, providing them with the nourishment needed to thrive.

Surrounded by the sea on all sides, Pingtan Island was inaccessible for a long time without boats. Facing the turbulent waves of the sea, Pingtan people braved hidden reefs, crossed treacherous shoals, and sailed thousands of miles, vigorously developing the maritime transport industry. The stories of their maritime adventures have been passed down through the generations, illustrating their spirit.

The earliest recorded ferry crossings in Pingtan can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD). At that time, as the country’s economic center shifted south, Pingtan became a grazing land, and some sheltered bays with gentle slopes began to serve as transport hubs for horses and supplies. During the Yuan and Ming Dynasties (1271-1644 AD), due to the maritime prohibition policy, Pingtan fell into decline and lost its former prominence. After the reign of Emperor Chenghua during the Ming Dynasty (1464 - 1487 AD) in China, the maritime ban was relaxed, and small-scale maritime transport gradually resumed. In particular, the campaigns led by renowned general Qi Jiguang against Japanese pirates made the Haitan Strait gradually become a golden waterway for north-south transport, and the maritime transport industry in Pingtan developed in an unprecedented manner.

The reform and opening up of the roaring ’70s bulldozed the way to the privatization of many state-owned maritime and transportation businesses. The transition brought about an age of resplendence in Pingtan and tales of rags to riches.

"In the 1980s, semi-mechanized wooden sailing boats phased out, and we switched to cement ships. By the late 1990s, we shifted to iron-hulled ships," recalls Zheng Zhenhua, secretary-general of the Pingtan Shipowners Association, who was one of the earliest sailors to join the shipping industry.

As the 21st century unfolded, the once abundant nearshore fishery resources began to dwindle, posing challenges to traditional economies. In contrast, with the globalization of trade, shipping rates gradually increased, and the shipping industry experienced explosive growth. More and more Pingtan people, who started their careers in fishing, saw "running ships" as a way out, and they flooded into the shipping industry. Some fishing villages prospered and transformed into "shipping villages," driving the development of upstream and downstream industries such as shipbuilding.

In particular, the thriving shipping industry has made Pingtan a domestically-renowned "shipping county." "Coastal villages such as Su'ao and Liushui basically rely on shipping for their livelihoods and shipping routes cover almost all major coastal ports in the country," Zheng Zhenhua said.

Opening up the International Shipping Market

Recently, in the waters of the South China Sea, a Panamanian bulk carrier named "LINGBAI" was sailing at full blast, carrying 70,000 tons of coal. The freighter is registered under the Pingtan International Shipping Shipowners Association, servicing Indonesia and Guangxi.

This February, the first international convenience flag shipowners association in China, Pingtan International Shipping Shipowners Association, was established. Its members include convenience flag shipowners operating international transportation businesses in Pingtan and neighboring cities.

"By bridging the communication gap between the government and shipowners, we can assist the government in formulating and implementing industry development plans, and regulations and help to create international maritime financial institutions, international logistics centers, ship supply, and maintenance systems, to enhance Pingtan's international influence," said Gao Yangsong, chairman of the association. The association has over 200 ships.

At the end of March this year, Fujian Haitong Company was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, becoming the first homegrown listed company in Pingtan.As one of the leading companies in the domestic private bulk cargo shipping industry, Haitong Company's total shipping capacity has exceeded 1.2 million deadweight tons, and its route network covers more than 200 ports in over 30 countries and regions, driving Pingtan to create a comprehensive and modern shipping ecosystem.

Looking at the broader international shipping market is a microcosm of Pingtan's vigorous development of the shipping industry in recent years.

Facing the great potential of the industry, Pingtan has launched a series of measures pertaining to licensing services and industrial policy revisions to tackle difficulties such as financing and talent shortage and cultivate industries such as shipping logistics and marine fisheries.

“We reward shipping companies with integrity and shipowners that practice corporate social responsibility (CSR). We also look into fostering conducive conditions to attract potential investors into Pingtan,” said Pan Zibao, in charge of the Transportation Management Department of Pingtan Transportation Construction Bureau.

Thanks to the concerted effort, many Pingtan shipowners have shifted their shipping businesses back. The latest data shows that there are 155 shipping companies in Pingtan, with 590 registered ships with a shipping capacity of 6.08 million deadweight tons, ranking first in both ship numbers and shipping capacity in the province.

As one of the first shipping companies to return to Pingtan, Minghui Shipping Co., Ltd. has developed from scratch since landing in Pingtan at the end of 2014 to a current shipping capacity of over 300,000 deadweight tons. The person in charge, Shi Xiaoming, said that the determination and efforts of Pingtan’s authorities to support the development of the shipping industry gave him the confidence to stay and grow his business in Pingtan.

Over the years, navigation has become a cultural totem for the people of Pingtan. By building dreams in the deep blue sea and relying on the long-distance shipping industry, Pingtan is fully engaged in international competition and cooperation.

Galloping across the Taiwan Straits

On May 15, at Pingtan Jinjing Port, as the melodious whistle sounded, the container ship "Huahang 3" slowly left the dock fully loaded with cargo, heading directly to Taipei Port.

At Pingtan ports, scenes like this have become commonplace. In fact, the trade between the mainland and Taiwan across the Taiwan Straits has long been active.

Looking at the map, Pingtan is only 68 nautical miles from Hsinchu, Taiwan, making it the closest point to Taiwan from the mainland. It is at the forefront of cross-Straits integration and development, with inherent advantages in developing Fujian-Taiwan shipping.

In Pingtan, an old saying goes: Qufan is the best place to go, while Taiwan is the second option. Qufan is a local dialect referring to Southeast Asia. This also suggested the two top trading destinations for the Pingtanese, cementing Taiwan in the heart of the locals.

Local cultural and historical expert Li Zunyun explained to reporters that since ancient times, Pingtan people have taken advantage of shipping to use Taiwan as a transit station and then reach further areas in Southeast Asia for trade, expanding the sea trade route to major ports in the east of the Pacific Ocean.

During the reign of Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty, Pingtan was upgraded to one of the main ports for Fujian's trade with Taiwan, loading tea, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, tea oil, and other goods produced upstream of the Minjiang River for transport across the sea from Pingtan to be sold in Taiwan. Goods from Taiwan such as sugar and rice also entered the mainland market via Pingtan.

In the early days of reform and opening-up, Pingtan, with its geographical advantage, became one of the first counties in the country to be approved to establish a shipping berth dedicated to Taiwan ships and rest stations for Taiwan compatriots and conduct petty trade across the Straits. The Niushan Island lighthouse, located east of Pingtan's main island, still stands today as the main navigation aid in the northern Taiwan Straits and a guardian for ships.

Aerial view of the Niushan Island lighthouse. [Photo by Lin Yingshu]

In recent years, as the only comprehensive pilot zone for cross-Straits cooperation on the mainland, Pingtan has been promoting economic integration, cultural exchange, and social integration with Taiwan, accelerating the building of a common homeland for both sides of the Straits and becoming a window for Fujian-Taiwan cooperation. As a result, cross-Straits shipping and cross-border e-commerce have made great strides.

Based on its geographical advantages, Pingtan has been a pioneer in the province since 2015 in building a public service platform for cross-border e-commerce, and piloting cross-border e-commerce bonded imports, general exports, and direct purchase imports. It has also promoted the construction of cross-border e-commerce industrial parks and created an efficient customs clearance environment.

Meanwhile, it has built ports with high standards and it has become the first to achieve full coverage of passenger and cargo transport to and from ports in northern, central, and southern Taiwan. It is accelerating the creation of a "global-Taiwan-Pingtan" international logistics channel.

According to statistics, in 2022, Pingtan's trade with Taiwan exceeded 18 billion yuan, and its cross-Straits shipping export container volume ranked first in the country.

According to the Pingtan Shipowners Association, up to now, Pingtan-registered shipowners have registered more than 19 million deadweight tons of shipping capacity across the country, driving direct employment for more than 30,000 Pingtan-registered sailors, ship service company workers, and indirect employment for more than 100,000 people in the industry chain.

Riding the wind and waves, from canoes to ocean-going giant vessels, Pingtan is focusing on doing business with the whole world, allowing more "Made in China" products to cross the ocean and continue the legend of the Maritime Silk Road.

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