Chinese VP Visits Hamburg Terminal
China’s Vice President Wang Qishan visited the HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT) at the Port of Hamburg.Wang was greeted by the Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), Angela Titzrath, Hamburg’s First Mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher, and representatives of the Chinese container shipping company Cosco Shipping Lines. Wang headed a 40-strong party of high-ranking Chinese government officials, and the terminal operator said the visit emphasizes Hamburg’s importance as a global trade gateway.The largest container vessels of Chinese shipping company Cosco Shipping Lines are handled at the facility of Container Terminal Tollerort every week. On Thursday, for instance, the Cosco Shipping Aries was docked at the CTT quayside.
SNA Meeting Offers China Navy Insights
Though China’s navy is generally a mystery to the west, and its build-up and intentions are often characterized as lacking transparency, a Chinese navy official insists that the country’s intentions are purely defense orientated. In translating an explanation from a superior officer, Liu Hongwei, Senior Captain, Naval Attache at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the U.S., explained: We will not fire the first shot, but when fired upon, the aggressor will not fire a second shot. Liu Hongwei was the featured luncheon speaker at a Surface Navy Association’s (SNA) Greater Washington Chapter luncheon, held July 24, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City.
