China-US tensions: Beijing hits US ships with ‘special port fees’

China connected Friday announced that it volition commencement imposing “special larboard fees” connected ships built oregon operated by the US. According to the transport ministery, the fees volition instrumentality effect astatine Chinese ports from October 14 erstwhile US ships arriving successful China volition wage 400 yuan ($56) per nett tonne, rising to 640 yuan successful April.

The fees volition besides acquisition much increases annually.The ministry clarified that the charges use to each voyage to China, not each idiosyncratic port, and nary vessel volition beryllium charged much than 5 times a year.The determination follows Washington’s April fees connected Chinese-built and operated ships and the charges volition instrumentality effect the aforesaid time arsenic US larboard fees. US imposed these charges aft an probe into China’s shipbuilding sector, initiated nether the erstwhile US administration.A spokesperson for China’s transport ministry described the charges arsenic a “legitimate measurement to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese shipping companies.”They besides said, “We impulse the US broadside to instantly close its wrongful practices and cease its unwarranted suppression of China's shipping industry.”