On May 31, the 8th Strategic Supply Chain Thought Leader 50 Forum, jointly organized by ANNTO and the International Alliance for Industry Chain (IAIC), and co-hosted by the CEIBS Institute of Supply Chain Innovations, concluded successfully at Midea’s Global Innovation Campus in Shanghai.

Under the theme "Supply Chain Globalisation and Ecosystem Empowerment," the forum convened more than 200 academicians, industry leaders, and supply chain professionals from across the globe to discuss pathways for enterprise to reach the global markets amid the restructuring of global industrial chains.

A Gathering of Industry Leaders and Visionaries

The event brought together an impressive lineup of renowned academics, industry leaders, and business innovators. Distinguished speakers included Li Xiaoliang, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, Professor of Operations, Information and Technology at Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Director of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research; Li Guolin, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Midea Group; Ling Wen, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chairman of the Shandong Association for Science and Technology; Yao Chenchen, General Manager of ESG at JinkoSolar; Zhao Xiande, Professor at CEIBS and Dean of the CEIBS Institute of Supply Chain Innovations; Liang Pengfei, President of ANNTO; and Peng Guodong, Co-founder of Zongteng Group. Focusing on pivotal topics such as the restructuring of global industrial chains, supply chain transformation in the age of AI, and green compliance and ESG, the speakers engaged in insightful and forward-looking discussions, offering valuable perspectives.

Three Pillars of Certainty: YANTIAN's Response to the New Normal of Black Swan Events

As the only port enterprise invited to the forum, Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, shared the company's practical experience and insights during the roundtable discussion.

In today's increasingly complex and volatile global environment, geopolitical tensions, tariff disputes, shipping route diversions, and other disruptions have made so-called "black swan" events a recurring reality. During the discussion, Dr. Wang Liang, Assistant Dean of the CEIBS Institute of Supply Chain Innovations and moderator of the session, posed a direct question to Mr. Lawrence Shum: "With global political and economic uncertainty continuing to weigh on international trade this year, logistics hubs are often among the first to feel the impact. How can they remain agile while operating under such pressure?"

His answer was both practical and thought-provoking: agility is not just about speed—it is about predictability. Drawing on YANTIAN's operational experience, he outlined a core approach to navigating uncertainty: building resilience through three pillars of certainty.

✔Certainty in Network Connectivity

YANTIAN has built a premium supply chain network defined by high-frequency, extensive, faster, high-efficiency services. With approximately 100 weekly services connecting major markets worldwide—including 10 sailings per day to Europe and North America—it boasts the densest Europe–North America shipping network in South China. Meanwhile, YANTIAN continues to strengthen its multimodal transport ecosystem through an expanding feeder and rail network, comprising 15 port alliances in the Greater Bay Area, 17 feeder services, 34 inland ports, and 37 rail-sea services. Together, these capabilities ensure seamless connectivity across domestic and international markets.

✔Certainty in Transit Efficiency

YANTIAN boasts the only natural deep-water channel in the Greater Bay Area, with a depth of nearly 18 metres and a width of 475 metres. Free from freezing and siltation year-round, the channel accommodates 200,000-tonne vessels for round-the-clock, two-way navigation without tidal restrictions or routine dredging requirements. This unique advantage enables fully laden ultra-large container vessels to call at YANTIAN with maximum efficiency. As the last port of call in China for many international services, YANTIAN offers industry-leading transit times, with cargo reaching U.S. ports in as little as 12.5 days and European ports in approximately 25 days, providing a reliable gateway for cross-border e-commerce and other export cargo.

✔Certainty Through Collaboration

YANTIAN reinforces supply chain resilience through close collaboration among government authorities, Customs, industry associations, and enterprises. Recent examples include Shenzhen Customs' implementation of the innovative "Inspect Before Loading" model for cross-border e-commerce exports; the launch of a cross-regional one-container regulatory model for lithium battery exports by sea, facilitated by maritime authorities; and the introduction of a customised "One-time Pilotage" service by Yantian Entry-Exit Frontier Inspection Station, enabling 24/7 on-arrival clearance for international vessels and crew. Together, these initiatives have greatly accelerated customs clearance.
Shenzhen's YANTIAN and Hong Kong's Kwai Tsing Port boast highly complementary shipping networks, together connecting more than 200 countries and regions worldwide. Supported by frequent daily feeder services between the two ports, this partnership is built on a strong and well-established foundation. Leveraging Hutchison Ports' extensive global network, the two ports are working hand in hand to cultivate a world-class port and shipping ecosystem, delivering resilient and reliable services to customers around the globe.

Driven by innovation, YANTIAN continues to pioneer new logistics solutions, including the Chongqing-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Scheduled Rail-Sea Service and Chengdu–Shenzhen-Hong Kong Scheduled Rail-Sea Service. It has also launched initiatives such as a blockchain-enabled paperless documentation platform and chassis-type battery swap stations for heavy-duty trucks, providing customers with safer, more efficient, reliable, and sustainable supply chain services. Through openness, YANTIAN is enhancing logistics connectivity between ports and inland regions while advancing the development of a regional green energy hub. Built on cooperation, it is further strengthening port, shipping, and logistics collaboration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, while partnering with ports worldwide to jointly develop green shipping corridors.

Innovation, openness, and cooperation are also the three priority themes of APEC China Year 2026. Seizing the opportunities presented by both the 15th Five-Year Plan period and APEC China Year, YANTIAN will continue to reinforce its role as a critical node in global supply chains, support the high-quality development of the real economy, and contribute to the security, resilience, and stability of global industrial and supply chains.