27 December 2008 – Rudong County Government and Nantong Maritime Search and Rescue Center launched the meeting on the maritime rescue at Yangkou Port.

Yangkou Port commenced the construction on 18 November 2003 and operation on 28 October 2008. During the five years, marine safety unit of Yangkou Port rescued 52 persons and 31 vessels, reaching 100% success rate. This performance is rewarded by China Maritime Search and Rescue Center.

At the same time, Yangkou Port achieved “zero” record in “Injury, Environmental Incidence, and Accident” throughout construction.

1 November 2008 – Nantong International Trade Center, the tallest building in Nantong City was topped out.

Nantong International Trade Center is developed by PYI. The tower covers a gross floor area of some 80,000 sq m and rises to 165 m, 37 storeys over the land surface. It is the first 5A-grade office building in Nantong.
 

 

28 October 2008 – The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Haiyang Railway that links up Haian and Yangkou Port was held at Zhang Jia Yuan in Fengli Town.

The ceremony was officiated by Li Jinhua, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee; Lu Dongfu, Vice Minister of Ministry of Railways; Shi Heping, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province; Liao Yongyuan, Deputy Managing Director of PetroChina Company Limited; Wu Ruilin, Vice Chairman of 9th CPPCC Jiangsu Province Committee; Luo Yimin, Secretary of Nantong Municipal Party Committee and Ding Dawei, Mayor of Nantong.

Zhou Tiegen, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province confirmed the strategic significance of Haiyang Railway. The construction is not only setting a milestone effect for the economic development of coastal area at Nantong, but also motivate the economic development in Jiangsu Province. In addition, the train will speed up the formation of transportation network around Yangkou Port.

Shi Heping, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, stated that the construction of Haiyang Railway is an important project in the development of Yangkou Port. It boosts the transportation capacity of Yangkou Port. The Government of Jiangsu Province highly supports all the development projects related to Yangkou Port.

Grand Navigating Ceremony of Yangkou Port

28 October 2008 – The Yangkou Port was opened at the man-made island, Sun Island. The ceremony was hosted by Zhan Lifeng, Head of Rudong County. Officiating leaders and guests included Li Jinhua, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Shi Heping, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province; Zhou Tiegen, Secretary of Rudong Party Committee; Luo Yimin, Secretary of Nantong Municipal Party Committee; Liao Yongyuan, Deputy Managing Director of PetroChina Company Limited and Dr. Joseph Chow, Chairman of PYI.

After congratulatory speeches delivered by leaders and guests, Li Jinhua, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, announced Yangkou Port as ready for navigating. In a long steam whistle, the first vessel, “Xin Chenjie” drove into the newly-built port on a track that was only 1.4 km from the stage.

Tom Lau, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of PYI, had interviewed the representatives of builders at the belvedere and attended the press conference for the navigating of Yangkou Port.”
 

 

Yellow Sea Crossing at Yangkou Port is Linked Up

16 July 2008 – The last section of the bridge decking of Yellow Sea Crossing was successfully completed, one month earlier than scheduled. The ceremony was hosted by Dr. Joseph Chow, Chairman of PYI. The construction of Yellow Sea Crossing commenced on 28 October 2006. The total investment reaches 640 million Renminbi. The 12.6km long and 11m wide Yellow Sea Crossing is one of the largest deep water bridges in China in terms of length and construction scale.

Mr. Zhou Tiegen, Secretary of Rudong Party Committee said, "From now on, we no longer have to take boat ride from the mainland to the Sun Island. It only takes 20 minutes to cross the 13km distance via the Yellow Sea Crossing." 


 

Shi Heping Vowed Provincial Government Will Increase Development Efforts in Yangkou Port

12 June 2008 – After touring Rudong, Mr. Shi Heping, Jiangsu Province Vice Governor stated that Yangkou Port has a bright future as it possesses all the essential elements to attract businesses of various nature. The Jiangsu Provincial Government will push for the development of the Port as well as provide beneficial government policies. Yangkou Port will play an integral role in the construction of the Jiangsu Coastal Area project.

Mr. Shi visited Yangtong Company Exhibition Centre in the Yangkou Economic Development Zone. It was followed by a visit to Sun Island for an inspection of the construction site. Mr. Shi stated, “Development of Yangkou Port and the fruits from it are entirely based on Nantong and Rudong’s own strengths and their collaboration with the market to overcome all the difficulties, which is an incredible feat. Yangkou Port’s development will make a positive impact on the region’s economic situation. Hence, it is considered a project of significance by both the provincial committee and government.” 


 

11 June 2008 – Mr. Wang Hanbin, Former Deputy Chairman of National People’s Congress and Mr. Li Jinhua, Deputy Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference visited Nantong Port Group. Mr. Yin Jianlu, Nantong Port Group Chairman, Mr. Xu Huixiang, Secretary of NPC and Mr. Lu Haikong, Vice-Manager of the Group informed the people’s leaders the construction progress of the port.

1 June 2008 – After setting a record high in April for its cargo throughput, cargo throughput of Nantong Port Group exceeded 37,000 containers in May, an increase of 16.5% from last year. This was the highest throughput ever recorded since the opening of the port.

Results for the Container Freight Station (CFS) of the company showed that bulk cargo-knockdown quantity for that month was 1,514TEU, up 128.4% from the same month last year whereas the volume of sulphur was 1,076TEU.

Jiangsu Province Committee Deputy Governor Expedited Development of Coastal Area

24 March 2008 – Mr. Zhao Kezhi, Provincial Party Committee Member and Deputy Governor, along with Mr. You Qingzhong, Vice Director of Jiangsu Provincial Communications Department, Mr. Ding Dawei, Mayor of Rudong and other leaders visited Yangkou Port. During the visit, they took a boat ride to Sun Island.

Mr. Zhao emphasised, “Of the 960km of Jiangsu’s coastal line, only Rudong and Yangkou Port have the potential to become ports of a 300,000-tonne level. Rudong ought to first focus on its established goals. Only then can it accelerate the construction progress of the port. My findings on Yangkou Port’s construction will be promptly reported to the Provincial Committee and Government. I will fight for preferential policies in order to support Yangkou Port in its development.”
 

 

22 March 2008 – Mr. Zhou Tiegen, Secretary of Rudong Party Committee presided over the meeting for the commencement of the Gold Bull Island Project. Mr. Zhou claimed that commencement of the project is a milestone in the development of Yangkou Port, a historic moment and an indicator that Yangkou has upped its ante in its growth. At the meeting, the Project team reported project status. Construction of Gold Bull Island will commence before the end of the year.

12 March 2008 – In 2007, Yaogang Port Company, a subsidiary of Nantong Port Group distributed throughout the year 1.47 million tonnes of sulphur, up 517,000 tonnes from last year. The 54% increase in a year’s time enabled the port to overtake Guangxi’s Fancheng Port to become the nation’s largest distribution port of sulphur.

Yaogang Port’s handling of sulphur was limited to a few ten thousand tonnes per year before the year 2002. However, by 2005, it had surpassed one million tonnes. In just four years times, Yao Port has grown to become Yangtze River’s biggest distribution port of sulphur.

6 March 2008 – Ms Sim Ann, Regional Director (Eastern China), IE Singapore and Consul (Commercial), Singapore Consulate-General in Shanghai visited Yangkou Port. In her opinion, Yangkou Port is blessed with all the traits required for port development and is a gem in the region. She stated that more research will be conducted so as to build closer ties with Rudong in search of the best investment opportunities at Yangkou Port.

18 February 2008 – The groundbreaking ceremony of Nantong Yangkou Port Commercial Centre was held at Yangkou Port Economic Development Zone. Officiating guests included provincial governor Mr. Zhou Jianfei, Mr. Shen Gengsheng, former leaders from the development zone and Changsha City, contractors and project managers.

Nantong Yangkou Port Commercial Centre is located at the center of the Yangkou Port Economic Development Zone. The project site area is approximately 37.8 acres with the building covering a gross floor area of 32,195sq m. Estimated investment amounts to 120 million Renminbi. Upon completion, the building will house the administrative and service offices of the Yangkou Port Economic Development Zone and will be one of the symbolic structures of the Yangkou City. 

Huang Zhendong from National People’s Congress Committee Toured Yangkou Port

23 January 2008 – A delegation comprising Mr. Huang Zhendong, Director of National People’s Congress Committee for Internal and Judicial Affair and Mr. Wang Linfa, Former Deputy Inspector of the Communications Department visited Yangkou Port. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Xu Hui, Deputy Mayor of Nantong City, Mr. Zhou Tiegen, Secretary of the Rudong Party Committee and etc.

From the visit to the Yellow Sea Crossing and Harbour-front Industrial and Logistics Park, Mr. Huang gained more insight into the development progress of Yangkou Port. He said, “The 30sq km Harbour-front Industrial and Logistics Park is essential to the growth of Yangkou Port in the long run.” On visiting Yangtong Company’s Exhibition Centre, Mr. Huang stated, “The development of Yangkou Port should be in accordance with nature’s rules. Therefore, phased development is essential. Yangkou Port will be made a unique port along the Golden Waterway that joins the advantages of a feeder port and a deep-sea port.


 

Hong Kong Government Sent Delegation to Visit Yangkou Port in Nantong

12 January 2008 – A team of government officials, led by Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet Ngor, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government, visited Yangkou Port, including the convention and exhibition centre and the construction site.

Mrs Lam expressed admiration towards PYI for undertaking the infrastructure of Yangkou Port, a project of magnitude. She looked forward to more collaboration between Hong Kong enterprises and the Mainland to invest in Rudong. She believed that, through close cooperation between the two, Rudong is set for a brighter future as the next “Pearl of the Orient”.