Schubert to Lead Delegation to China

Maritime Administrator William G. Schubert announced that he will lead a delegation to China to conduct discussions with the Chinese government in Beijing, March 19-21. A central topic of these talks will be the Regulations on International Maritime Transportation that were issued by China’s Ministry of Communications in December 2001. These regulations appear to impose sweeping new restrictions on U.S. and other non-Chinese maritime companies, affecting shipping companies, shippers, and intermediaries. In addition to discussing the new maritime regulations, Captain Schubert will discuss U.S. maritime carriers’ operations in the People’s Republic of China which have been restricted by Chinese government controls for several years, affecting their ability to deploy their vessels, market their services and conduct intermodal operations. The delegation will also include representatives of the Department of State.