SHANGHAI AS AN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CENTRE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EAST ASIAN REGIONAL ECONOMY

Favourable policies, expanding maritime activities, and promising economic factors, especially after China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), provide Shanghai with a sound foundation and great potential to become an International Maritime Centre (IMC). This paper investigates the future prospects for Shanghai as an IMC and assesses the potential impact on the East Asian regional economy. From the viewpoint of East Asian nations, suggestions are made as to the challenges and opportunities that exist as the result of Shanghai's further development. Particular reference is made to the kind of measures that can be introduced by policy makers to protect the commercial interests of the national maritime industry, and in what ways market players can capture the business opportunities created.