The China Ocean Shipping Group Company (COSCO) and Massachusetts Port Authority of the United States signed a Terminal Services Agreement Thursday that will bring COSCO ships to the Port of Boston, providing a weekly direct service between Asia and Boston.
President and CEO of the COSCO Wei Jiafu,Senior Vice-President of the Massachusetts Port Authority Michael A. Leone and U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt attended the signing ceremony.
Wei told the ceremony that it has been over 20 years since COSCO entered the U.S. market, and COSCO has so far opened 13 lines to bring its ships to the eastern and western ports of the United States.
Wei expressed belief that now that China has become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), there will be more potential for China-U.S. trade cooperation. COSCO is ready to contribute to promoting China-U.S.trade relations and the friendship between the two countries, he said.
Leone said that the agreement has put new life into the Port of Boston, and it will bring substantial additional container traffic through the port.
Randt extended congratulations to both sides, and said that he hoped that the bilateral cooperation could be further improved by their joint efforts.
The new service will begin March 21, when the first COSCO ship arrives in Boston.
(People's Daily January 25, 2002)
