U.S., China maritime dialogue continues

U.S., China maritime dialogue continues U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton and China's Vice Minister Xu Zuyuan lead delegations in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 15-16 to discuss maritime issues impacting both countries.
   This was the third round of annual bilateral maritime consultations held under the provisions of the U.S.-China Maritime Agreement signed in 2003.
   'Both sides agreed that current economic conditions were having an adverse impact on the level of maritime trade between the two countries, but that the long-term outlook for the bilateral maritime trade and relations remains strong,' said the Maritime Administration in a press release on Friday.
   The delegations exchanged views on the effects of the pirate attacks off the Somali Coast on maritime trade and possible remedies.
   They reviewed changes in competition policies both in China and the European Union, specifically the EU's elimination of the block exemption for liner conferences and discussion agreements. MarAd said the Chinese delegation provided an explanation of China's anti-monopoly law, which took effect in August 2006, and said an evaluation is underway that may result in possible changes in regulations for the maritime industry.
   The two sides also compared government policies toward the passenger cruise market, which is of growing interesting to Chinese vacationers.
   In order to expand the Chinese-flag fleet, there is an incentive program in effect that is expected to attract Chinese-owned, foreign-flag vessels to re-flag. The U.S. delegation explained that both cargo preference and the Maritime Security Program are aimed at maintaining a U.S.-flag fleet for national defense purposes.
   The parties agreed to meet again in 2009, MarAd said.