The mayor of Zhanjiang is confident that living standards will improve in the city as the government continues efforts to develop its economy.

Mayor Wang Zhongbing made the comments in an interview with China Daily on March 6, as the fourth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) got underway in Beijing.

Under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative, Zhanjiang will take the opportunity to develop its port, promote innovation in the city and bolster cooperation with ASEAN countries, according to the mayor.

For the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), Wang pointed out that Zhanjiang will focus on advanced manufacturing, port logistics and basic public services to boost its economy. The city will also strengthen cooperation in the Beibu Gulf Rim to secure its role as an economic hub.

In line with the Internet Plus strategy, Zhanjiang will accelerate the construction of a new airport and improve its tourism environment to develop its name card of a winter resort in South China.

"Our goal is to improve the happiness of people through boosting economic development and to carry out the work based on the people-centered principal to provide better education and public services, more stable employment environment and higher salaries," said Wang.

Wang also spoke with Sun Shangwu, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, about how to cooperate further in areas of foreign publicity work.

Zhanjiang Mayor Wang Zhongbing is interviewed by China Daily on March 6. [Photo/zhanjiang.gov.cn]

During the interview, Wang expressed his determination to boost the development of port, industry, innovation, agriculture, the integration of military and civilians, and the cooperation with ASEAN countries in Zhanjiang. [Photo/zhanjiang.gov.cn]

According to the mayor, the infrastructure construction of Zhanjiang's new airport and the improvement of its tourism environment are prioritized by the government. [Photo/zhanjiang.gov.cn]

Before the interview, the mayor also has a talk with Sun Shangwu, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily about the further cooperation on foreign publicity work of Zhanjiang on the day. [Photo/zhanjiang.gov.cn]