China's Rise to Commercial Maritime Power

(Hardback)

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China's waning interest in maritime activities, from the late 15th century on, ended when the People's Republic of China came to power in 1949. The new government, with few shipping and shipbuilding resources, took 12 years to initiate, in 1961, a maritime program for a national flag merchant marine. Within 26 years, in 1987, China ranked ninth in tonnage of ocean-going merchant ships and fourth in commercial shipbuilding among the world's maritime countries--a remarkable achievement unequaled by any other nation in peacetime. China's Rise to Commercial Maritime Power examines the forces that have brought China to her present competitive commercial maritime status as well as the forces that will enhance that position in the future. While not concerned with China's naval policy or shipping and shipbuilding history, the study focuses on recent maritime accords to advance China's interests and her current maritime policy. A little-known aspect of the policy is her flag of convenience fleet of almost four million tons operating world-wide by her wholly owned subsidiary shipping companies registered in Hong Kong, Panama, and Liberia. A major contribution to the study of China and her surge to world-class status in shipping and shipbuilding, this study, augmented throughout by numerous tables and a chart, will be of special interest to students and scholars of Chinese studies, economics, and economic history.

Reviews

As a history and explanation of China's maritime shipping policy, this book has no equal. Never before has so much information been gathered, sifted, and presented so well. . . . China traders and academic libraries with strong China collections will find this book an informative and useful addition to the shelf.-The China Business Review
In this significant addition to the literature, Heine traces events in China over the past 40 years. He examines the forces that have powered China to her present status as a competitive commercial maritime power and provides insight into prospects for the next century. Concise treatment is given to maritime policy, merchant shipping, and shipbuilding followed by coverage of bilateral maritime accords and relations conducted on a multinational basis through international organizations. The casual reader will find hitherto dark corners illuminated, while the researcher will be gratified by the copious chapter endnotes, appendixes, and bibliography. By virtue of his organization, the author has created a work accessible to general readers and simultaneously useful for serious researchers. Heine has also successfully created a work that will be well received by students of modern history, international relations, China studies, and public policy as well as students of transportation, economics, and international trade. The book will fill an important niche in libraries supporting collections in these areas for general readers, lower-and upper-division undergraduates, and graduate students and faculty.-Choice
The book examines the forces that brought China to her present competitive commercial maritime status, and that bid well to enhance that position during the next decade and beyond.-Abstracts of Development Studies
"As a history and explanation of China's maritime shipping policy, this book has no equal. Never before has so much information been gathered, sifted, and presented so well. . . . China traders and academic libraries with strong China collections will find this book an informative and useful addition to the shelf."-The China Business Review
"The book examines the forces that brought China to her present competitive commercial maritime status, and that bid well to enhance that position during the next decade and beyond."-Abstracts of Development Studies
"In this significant addition to the literature, Heine traces events in China over the past 40 years. He examines the forces that have powered China to her present status as a competitive commercial maritime power and provides insight into prospects for the next century. Concise treatment is given to maritime policy, merchant shipping, and shipbuilding followed by coverage of bilateral maritime accords and relations conducted on a multinational basis through international organizations. The casual reader will find hitherto dark corners illuminated, while the researcher will be gratified by the copious chapter endnotes, appendixes, and bibliography. By virtue of his organization, the author has created a work accessible to general readers and simultaneously useful for serious researchers. Heine has also successfully created a work that will be well received by students of modern history, international relations, China studies, and public policy as well as students of transportation, economics, and international trade. The book will fill an important niche in libraries supporting collections in these areas for general readers, lower-and upper-division undergraduates, and graduate students and faculty."-Choice

Author Bio

IRWIN MILLARD HEINE's association with American and international maritime matters extends over a period of 50 years. He was Chief Economist and Statistician of the Maritime Administration from 1953 to 1965, after which he became MarAd's Chief for International Maritime Affairs. Since his retirement from government service in 1970, Mr. Heine has been a consultant on maritime and international trade matters to government agencies and private organizations. He is the author of 45 articles, monographs, and books on American, Chinese and Russian maritime activities. An honors graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, he holds the M.B.A. degree from that University, which also awarded him its Penfield Traveling Scholarship in international affairs.