Li Yanqing, executive vice-president and secretary-general of the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, stated in an interview that the US attempt to revive its shipbuilding sector overnight through investment alone is unrealistic, calling US port fees 'absurd' and politically motivated. China's market lead in shipbuilding remains solid despite global fluctuations.
Li Yanqing is the executive vice-president and secretary-general of the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (Cansi), and also serves as chairman of the ISO/TC 8 ships and marine technology committee, which oversees international standardisation for shipbuilding and marine operations. As a shipbuilding veteran, Li is a prominent voice for China's industry on the global stage.
Discussing the impact of US trade policies, global market cycles, and China's strategic pivot towards high-quality manufacturing, Li stated: 'The United States has its own road map, and the Chinese shipbuilding industry has no objection to the US revitalising its own sector.' However, from a professional standpoint, he added that believing investment alone can resurrect an entire industry may require a refresher course in the fundamentals of industrial economics.
According to traditional industrial economic theory, the rise and fall of shipbuilding are driven by three key factors: capital, labour, and technological innovation. It is important to note that innovation can yield results only when built upon a solid foundation of capital and labour.
The article mentions keywords such as Donald Trump, Red Sea crisis, American shipbuilding, US Trade Representative, Russia-Ukraine conflict, South Korea, Jones Act, and the International Maritime Organization Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships, but provides no further details. It was published on March 2, 2026.
