“We hope to introduce Zhanjiang to the world and go global through the expo.” It is understood that in the Han Dynasty (BC202-AD220), the ancient Maritime Silk Road started in Xuwen, the southernmost seaside county of Zhanjiang. The city is now applying to become China’s strategic fulcrum of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Lying at the southernmost reaches of the Chinese mainland, Zhanjiang boasts the shortest sea routes to Southeast Asia than any other city in the mainland. Therefore Zhanjiang takes a leading role in China’s trade with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It has sped up the construction of Fenyong Hi-tech Economic Zone and Haidong New District, two pilot areas for the industrial cooperation of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Beibu Gulf Economic Rim are expected to bring big opportunities to Zhanjiang and the city will grasp these, said Wang Zhongbing, mayor of Zhanjiang. He said that the city would enhance cooperation with cities on the rim including Nanning, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Yulin and Chongzuo of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, to push forward economic integrated development of Guangdong and Guangxi.

Zhanjiang also plans to strengthen ties with Chongqing and the provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Hunan in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region. “The China Ocean Economy Expo is the country’s one and only comprehensive grand fair specialized in the ocean catalogue. Choosing Zhanjiang as the permanent venue shows its importance in China’s development into a maritime power,” Wang said.

"Zhanjiang will make good use of the expo to expand its market in Southeast Asian countries and extensively cooperate in industry, agriculture, tourism, science and technology, education and culture," he added.

More than 1,000 enterprises from home and abroad will have exhibition booths at the expo in December.