Annual Report 2021

21 ANNUAL REPORT 2021 control mechanism was implemented to effectively coordinate with all relevant parties to ensure ports’ safety production and operation and maintain the stability of both chains of industrial chain and supply chain. Thirdly, Mawan Smart Port of the Group, which was officially launched and put into operation and became the first green and low-carbon smart port equipped with 5G in the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau Greater Bay Area (“ Greater Bay Area ”), formed a replicable and marketable solution for the transformation and upgrading of traditional ports, fully showing the “China Merchants Demonstration”. In respect of the development of homebase ports, the Group adhered to the strategic objective of “building world- class leading ports”, further enhanced the comprehensive competitiveness of the West Shenzhen homebase port as a world-class leading port, and strengthened the leading position of the hub in South Asia of overseas homebase port in Sri Lanka, so as to advance the development of leading ports. During the year, Mawan Smart Port was officially launched and put into operation, which became the first 5G smart port in the Greater Bay Area, tremendously enhanced the core competitiveness of the West Shenzhen Port Zone. In addition, the coordinated ports model in the Greater Bay Area had been promoted to other regions, fully enhanced the efficiency of customs clearance in Western Shenzhen, provided customers with high quality and efficient services, and the convenience advantages of the cross- customs areas were gradually being realized. In respect of the overseas homeport, the Group continuously integrated the operation and management of HIPG and CICT in Sri Lanka, promoted the coordinated development of these two ports, strengthened cooperation with various customers and expanded new ideas for development. With respect to overseas business, the Group kept abreast of changes in the economy and trade landscape, comprehensively deepened business collaboration with internal resources and strategic partners, developed high- quality regional shipping routes, and focused on regional gateway ports. The Group optimized the development of the overseas project management and control system, as well as the overseas project management policy, and promoted the quality and efficiency improvement of overseas terminals. In pursuit of comprehensive development, the Group was committed to improving the global network layout and business synergies in overseas projects, and deepened the implementation of “Port-Park-City” model in overseas regions. In 2021, under the adverse impact of the continuous spread of the pandemic, the promotion activities of induction of business and investment in overseas logistic parks