Cargo throughput at the Zhanjiang Port reached 181 million tons last year and is expected to surpass 200 million tons this year.

A starting point for ancient ocean-going trade and a gateway to Southeast Asia, modern Zhanjiang has received the green light as a pivotal city in the country's 21st Century Maritime Silk Road strategy.

Ports on Baoman and Donghai islands have been allowed to open up, bringing the total number of open ports in the city to six.

A bonded logistics center to be built by Zhanjiang Port Group has been approved, becoming the 38th such center in the country.

A number of projects in Zhanjiang are included in provincial plans to meet the national 21st Century Maritime Silk Road strategy.

They include Guangdong (Fenyong) ASEAN Industrial Park, South Marine Valley High-Tech Park, an aquatic and agricultural technology park, seaside tourism park, maritime high-tech base and a sugar-making center.

City authorities are also studying further measures for reform.

The opening of Baoman and Donghai ports means 44,400 meters of coastline and 29 berths will open up to foreign trade.

Zhanjiang port will be better positioned to attract multinational shipping companies and to enhance economic cooperation with Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas, said Wang Xiaosui, director of the city's bureau of commerce.

Zhanjiang port serves major ocean-going shipping in southwestern and southern China and offers one of the shortest routes between the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania, according to Zhanjiang Port (Group) Co.

Cargo throughput at the port hit 181 million tons last year and is expected to exceed 200 million tons this year.

The latest opening-up move is set to boost the capacity of Zhanjiang port, speed up development and help promote seaside industries and logistics, said Guo Rongbo, deputy director of the city's bureau of commerce.