The Zhanjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone was listed among China's Top 10 Chemical Parks by Development Potential in 2018 at this year's China Chemical Industry and Chemical Park Forum held in Zhuhai from May 24 to 25.

Statistics from the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation showed that there were 601 petrochemical parks in the country as of 2017. The top 30 of these parks serve as the backbone of the industry, recording a turnover of 2.36 trillion yuan ($369 billion) in 2017, 17.1 percent of the nation's total.

The top 10 chemical parks by development potential, which are still not as mature as the current top 30, have already taken shape and have their own strengths. For example, they have advanced infrastructure, more industrial land available for use, and plenty of room for growth.

The 37-square-kilometer Donghai Petrochemical Industrial Park in the Zhanjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone is poised to become a petrochemical manufacturing, distribution, information, and detection center serving the Beibu Gulf and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The industrial park, being home to the 35-billion-yuan Sino-Kuwait refinery and petrochemical project, will take full advantage of this partnership. It has been active in attracting more leading enterprises and extending the industrial chain. As of last August, a dozen projects had settled or planned to settle in the park.