South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region plans to strengthen local infrastructure and establish the region's Beibu Gulf as a free-trade zone to increase trade and partnerships with the ASEAN.
Guangxi Communist Party secretary Peng Qinghua said at a conference on on Sunday that the government will build more transportation, energy and water conservation infrastructure as well as develop the local information technology industry.
Established in 2006, the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone comprises six cities: Nanning, Beihai, Qinzhou, Fangchenggang, Yulin and Chongzuo.
It has become increasingly important in connecting southwest and central China with southeast Asian countries.
Ports in the zone can handle 224 million tons of cargo every year," said Zhou Xiaoxi, Beibu Gulf Port Group's board director.
In 2015, it handled 204 million tons of cargo, more than three times the figure in 2006. It operates 25 shipping routes every week to major ports in the ASEAN, said Zhou.
Guangxi will continue opening up under the Belt and Road initiative, said Peng.
Tong Daochi, assistant minister of commerce, said the Beibu Gulf will become the starting point for some inland Chinese cities to seek international trade.
