Soft Power:The Foundation of A Major Shipbuilding Nation

Reporter Yang Peiju

Chinese shipbuilding industry is currently in a period of transiting from being large to being strong. Some insiders appeal for government to decentralize and to make industry associations and classification societies play more important role in order to enhance soft power. The successful experience of developed countries has made it clear that agencies tend to play an important role in industry development.

Many insiders believe that CCS should also play a more important role. CCS is participating in and exerting effect on the development and enforcement of almost all important maritime conventions and regulations. Under the everchanging international maritime situation, by way of its special position and role, CCS tries its best to exert greater influence on the development of regulations and standards and reflect the view of Chinese industry in order to safeguard the interests and rights of the industry. On the other hand,the most advanced technology and management method are also introduced to the Chinese industry and are transposed into the driving force for the constant development of the related industry. In the last decade, CCS has carried out lots of work to facilitate comprehensively the implementation of technical standards and the development of service products. Meanwhile, CCS has held for many times high level workshops with Chinese industry on international maritime situations to carry out comprehensive analysis and study with representatives from CCS, governmental agencies, shipping enterprises, shipbuilding enterprises,steel enterprises and marine equipment manufacturers of the impact of new maritime requirements on Chinese industry and the addressing strategy. The joint work to tackle key problems with the industry organized by CCS has had profound influence on smooth implementation of new requirements. CCS is the best bridge and link to enhance the overall soft power of the domestic shipbuilding industry, and its unique role can not be replaced by other bodies.

From a comprehensive point of view, shipbuilding industry and shipping industry are closely related with the classification society in the aspect of soft power ranging from standards, ship type development and supplementary services. In the future, China will inevitably play a more and more important role in the global economic pattern In the context of globalization. CCS will take more and more responsibilities. Experts believe in order to enhance the soft power of Chinese shipbuilding, the unique role of CCS to support, drive and promote the soft power of the industry must be played well. The nation should not only put forward its requirements and bestow responsibility and obligations on the classification society, it also should

provide greater support in the aspect of policy and authority just as it has done to the shipping and shipbuilding industry. Only in this way can the shipbuilding soft power be rapidly enhanced and the dream of a major shipbuilding nation be realized sooner.