The Lin-gang Special Area Institute of Shanghai Maritime University is launched on May 22. [Photo/people.com.cn]

The vital importance of the maritime shipping sector to the country was highlighted at a seminar on May 22, held in the Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, located in East China's Shanghai city.

The event, which took place at Shanghai Maritime University in the special area, summarized the historical and current influence of shipping in China's development and discussed the connections between the sector and the great rejuvenation of the country.

The seminar was jointly organized by the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, the Lin-gang Special Area and SMU to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Leaders from relevant departments and enterprises in the fields of ports and shipping, as well as experts and scholars from universities and research institutes – such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Fudan University, Tongji University, the Ocean University of China and Dalian Maritime University – attended the event.

In addition, the SMU Lin-gang Special Area Institute was launched at the seminar.

As the first university to enter Lin-gang, SMU reportedly strives to give full play to its advantages in the area of shipping, logistics and the maritime sector to help with the development of the special area.

It is understood that the SMU Lin-gang Special Area Institute will coordinate resources inside and outside the university. It plans to strengthen the integration of different academic disciplines, parallel the university's supply and social needs and accelerate the output and transformation of scientific and technological achievements.