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Functional Differentiation and Sustainability: A New Stage of Development in the Chinese Container Port System

Author

Listed:
  • Liehui Wang

    (Center for Modern Chinese City Studies, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
    School of Urban & Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Theo Notteboom

    (China Institute of FTZ Supply Chain, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    Faculty of Applied Economics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
    Maritime Institute, Faculty of Law, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium
    Faculty of Science, Antwerp Maritime Academy, 2030 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Yui-yip Lau

    (Division of Business, Hong Kong Community College, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
    Transport Institute, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V4, Canada)

  • Adolf K. Y. Ng

    (Transport Institute, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V4, Canada
    Department of Supply Chain Management, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V4, Canada)

Abstract

Adjacent ports played a significant role in the evolution of the port system. In our study, we selected five pairs (i.e., Dalian–Yingkou, Qingdao–Yantai, Shanghai–Ningbo, Xiamen–Quanzhou, and Shenzhen–Guangzhou) of the most important adjacent ports in China to reveal the recent trend of China unique port system development; how and why will port system development be de-concentrated; and integrate the conceptual modal into in-depth analysis. The major findings are as follows: (1) There is functional differentiation in adjacent ports. To some big ports’ sustainability, they focus on foreign trade while other small ports, in order to achieve sustainable development, they focus on domestic trade; (2) First-mover advantage and dislocation competition is a mechanism of China ports functional differentiation; (3) Shanghai and Ningbo are unique in that both ports are similarly focused on foreign trade because they both have deep-water harbors, excellent geographical location, export-oriented hinterland economy, and close foreign investment relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Liehui Wang & Theo Notteboom & Yui-yip Lau & Adolf K. Y. Ng, 2017. "Functional Differentiation and Sustainability: A New Stage of Development in the Chinese Container Port System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-17, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:3:p:328-:d:91271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. Yiran Sun & Yuqian Wang & Jingci Xie, 2022. "The co-evolution of seaports and dry ports in Shandong province in China under the Belt and Road Initiative," Journal of Shipping and Trade, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-27, December.

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