Chilean Foreign Minister Pérez Mackenna Explores Shanghai Port, Key Hub for Exports to China

Original article: Canciller Pérez Mackenna visita puerto de Shanghái, principal entrada de las exportaciones chilenas a China

Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna visited Shanghai’s port this Saturday, the largest container terminal in the world and the primary gateway for Chilean exports to China.

Accompanied by Ambassador Alfonso Silva, the minister toured the facilities of this international maritime transport hub, which boasts the highest number of routes, destinations, and daily container ship frequency. Shanghai handles over 55 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in annual container traffic.

This port accounts for nearly half of Chile’s shipments to China and serves as the entry point for copper, cherries, cellulose, and salmon, among other products.

“This visit reaffirms the strong commercial relationship between Chile and China. Since the implementation of our Free Trade Agreement 20 years ago, we have seen a steady increase in the exchange of goods. Today, our copper, fruits, and wines enter China through here, making this port a privileged witness to the trust both economies have built together,” stated the minister.

China is Chile’s largest trading partner, accounting for over one-third of the country’s total international trade. Bilateral trade has surged nearly 15% in the past year, reaching $67.1 billion.

The minister concluded this tour with a five-day visit to China, which included high-level political and commercial meetings aimed at strengthening a key long-term alliance.