The Port of Xiamen in East China's Fujian province and the Port of Cork in Ireland have strengthened their long-term cooperation, after the two ports signed a sister port agreement on July 17 at Custom House, Cork.

One of China's major ports, the Port of Xiamen was ranked the world's 15th largest container port in 2016. The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland.

A cargo ship loading containers at the Haicang port in Xiamen, Fujian province on Dec 18. [Photo by Wei Peiquan/Xinhua]

Under the agreement, the two ports will work together and conduct exchanges on freight shipping, logistics, the cruise industry, staff training and information sharing. The two ports will also tap into market demand and open new cruise and shipping lines.

The move displays Xiamen's determination to expand its collaboration with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and its ambition to establish the city as a global shipping hub.

So far, the Port of Xiamen has forged 12 sister port ties with ports from countries including the United States, Germany, Spain, Ukraine, South Korea, Belgium and Malaysia.

An official from the Port of Xiamen shakes hands with John Mullins, chairman of the Port of Cork, at the signing ceremony for the sister port agreement in Cork, Ireland on July 17. [Photo/portxiamen.gov.cn]