Lebanon's Minister of Public Works and Transport in the caretaker government, Ali Hamiye, held a meeting with the head of the Chinese delegation, Vice Minister of Transport of the People's Republic of China, Zhuang Fu, during the 33rd session of the International Maritime Organization's General Assembly held in Britain. The meeting was attended by Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Rami Mortada, and the Director General of Land and Maritime Transport, Ahmad Tamer.
The discussions focused on the relations between Lebanon and China, particularly regarding the issues addressed by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, especially in the ports and maritime transport sectors. Hamiye expressed his gratitude to Minister Fu for "everything China has provided to Lebanon during all the circumstances it has faced, especially following the crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beirut port explosion," valuing "the Chinese positions in the aftermath of that."
He stated, "Lebanon is fully prepared and ready to enhance cooperation with China in the ports and maritime transport sectors, given its strategic geographic location which is advantageous for global trade, especially Chinese trade." He also noted that "its ports possess technical specifications capable of accommodating large ships."
Hamiye explained to the Chinese minister "the importance of Lebanon's geographic location concerning the Chinese transport project known as the Belt and Road Initiative," affirming that "in light of China's interest in establishing 'corridors' for transport globally, Lebanon is among the countries that could be part of this project, especially since it lies at a junction connecting the East and West, making it one of the shortest routes between them, which can provide economic and trade benefits for both Lebanon and China."
In turn, Minister Fu showed notable interest in the explanations provided by Hamiye, appreciating them and expressing his "readiness to convey these proposals to the relevant authorities in China for further follow-up with Minister Hamiye in the upcoming period."
Hamiye also posted on his account on the platform "X": "The meeting in London with the head of the Chinese delegation for the International Maritime Organization's sessions, Zhuang Fu, presented an opportunity to discuss ways to enhance the growth of relations between Lebanon and China, given Lebanon's strategic geographic advantages for global transport corridors, especially as it is considered one of the shortest routes between the East and West, and there was a discussion about its presence on the map of China's Belt and Road Initiative."
