History of the shipping business in China

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.