China's major sea ports are opening new container shipping routes this year to elevate transport capacity and provide strong support to stabilize supply chains and catalyze foreign trade. In the first quarter of this year, east China's Shandong Province launched 13 new shipping routes in forging boutique lines bound for European and American countries, including five container shipping routes launched at Qingdao port.

The newly-opened routes will vigorously enhance the service capacity in connecting pivotal ports in Central and South America, and expand export shipment from China's Yellow River regions to the European ports of Barcelona and Rotterdam. In April, a new direct container shipping route was launched that connects north China's Tianjin Port with several major European ports. Also, in north China, Hebei Port's first container international route to Southeast Asia has been officially put into operation. Moreover, Xiamen Port in east China adds a new direct route to the Middle Eastern countries in serving the Belt and Road Initiative.