As one of the pivotal cities for China's Belt and Road Initiative, Zhanjiang has enhanced its opening up endeavors and deepened cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road routes, especially those in Southeast Asia.

The city in the southwest of Guangdong province has intensified its efforts to facilitate exchanges with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members through exhibitions and trade fairs, according to the city's commercial bureau.

Since 2013, the ASEAN members have become the largest export market for Zhanjiang, with Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore now the city's top three export destinations. And the city's trade with ASEAN members has soared rapidly from $431 million in 2011 to $795 million in 2015, an average annual growth rate of 18.6 percent, according to the bureau.

In addition, the city has taken more measures to attract investment from and push forward trade with the 10-member bloc in the fields of modern agriculture, aquaculture, port logistics and tourism.

Businesses from ASEAN have established about 20 companies in Zhanjiang in the past five years, with their operations mainly in the aquatic products industry, such as food processing and feed production.

At the same time, companies from Zhanjiang invested $634 million in 11 projects in ASEAN countries.

Considering the booming business between the two sides, the city has geared up its moves in setting up representative offices in ASEAN countries for market expansion and better communications, the bureau said. It is also making efforts to improve its transportation links with the region.

To date, Zhanjiang Port has developed nine freight routes with major trade partners such as Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

The Zhanjiang Airport also launched its first international flight to Bangkok last year.

The better sea and air connections have facilitated the flow of cargos and people-topeople communication and helped Zhanjiang become a regional logistics hub, the bureau said.

The country's booming e-commerce business is also helping Zhanjiang become a logistics hub.

According to the bureau, an online platform for parcel deliveries has been put into operation, leading to substantial improvements in efficiency.

Besides, more platforms aiming to facilitate trade and investment are about to be completed.

For example, a special industrial zone for companies from ASEAN countries is under construction with many companies from Thailand and Indonesia agreeing to come.

Moreover, Zhanjiang will build a demonstration center for exhibiting agricultural products from both the city and Southeast Asia.

(China Daily 05/30/2016 page5)