Zhanjiang aiming to be first port of call for businesses

Transportation upgrades

Zhanjiang will upgrade its seaports, airport, railways and highways to build a transport system that can help the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a major passageway to connect western China with BRI countries and regions.

"Our ports can work as a major channel for goods between Southwest China and the Belt and Road countries and regions. Our position as a regional hub will be strengthened," said Zhanjiang Mayor Jiang Jianjun.

China Merchants Group, a State-owned conglomerate headquartered in Hong Kong, signed a cooperative agreement with the city government of Zhanjiang in 2017, which agreed to invest about 46 billion yuan ($6.9 billion) to upgrade the city's port facilities, develop marine economy and build a cruise ship terminal.

The local government will kick off a project to upgrade the Zhanjiang deepwater port channel, which will be capable of holding vessels of 400,000 metric tons from the current 300,000 tons, Jiang said. After the improvement, the port will be an international seaway that can handle sea traffic from more than 150 countries and regions.

It is also trying to gain support from the central government to upgrade the bulk cargo terminal at Xiashan Port, Jiang noted. He added that the terminal will be turned into a transit base for international trade goods that can offer the best handling and distribution for the corridor.

The mayor said construction of a new international airport and its supporting projects, including a road and a high-speed rail station to connect the airport with the rest of the city, will begin within the year.

The city government is also applying to the nation's aviation authority to develop a pilot area for low-altitude airspace to general aviation.