Cities seek hub status on Maritime Silk Road

Creation of a sea trading corridor promises wealth of opportunities

China's coastal provinces are trying to become the key hubs along the new "Maritime Silk Road", a national initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation with the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Fujian is one of the areas that has been actively engaged in developing its ports, particularly the one in Quanzhou, a city recognized by UNESCO as the starting point of the maritime road, said Zheng Xincong, mayor of Quanzhou.