Since ancient times, water-borne transportation has played a pivotal role in moving goods and people in China. As early as the Neolithic age (8500-2070 B.C.), the ancient Chinese started navigating along the inland rivers. China’s port system, including both fluvial ports and sea ports, took shape in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period (771-476 B.C.). During the Han dynasty (A.D. 206-220), coastal ports in southern China became a major gateway to the country. Port development accelerated in the Tang dynasty (A.D. 618-907) and peaked in the Song dynasty (A.D.960-1279) as a result of the quick development of commercial activities. The prosperous situation continued until the end of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644), after which the isolationist policy, which was initiated in the Ming dynasty and subsequently adopted by the Qing dynasty (A.D. 1644-1912), drastically slowed down, if not jeopardized altogether, the development of China’s ports. The years of war before the founding of the People’s Republic of China added to the stagnation of the industry.

Item Type:	Research Book Chapter
Keywords:	shipping business, China
Research Division:	Economics
Research Group:	Applied economics
Research Field:	Transport economics
Objective Division:	Transport
Objective Group:	Water transport
Objective Field:	International sea freight transport (excl. live animals, food products and liquefied gas)
UTAS Author:	Zhang, W (Dr Vera Zhang)
ID Code:	130019
Year Published:	2019
Deposited By:	Maritime and Logistics Management
Deposited On:	2019-01-06
Last Modified:	2022-08-24
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