A tide of change is set to wash over the upcoming China Marine Economy Expo, which has been held four times since 2012 and will return to Zhanjiang on Dec 14 with expectations raised for bringing the event to higher levels this year.

Hosted by the State Oceanic Administration and Guangdong Provincial Government, it is the only national comprehensive marine economy expo in the country and is estimated to receive more than 3,000 exhibitors and over 300,000 visitors during the four-day event.

For the first time, it has forged a partnership with China Foreign Trade Center, the organizer of China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair. And the latter will utilize its trade resources and experiences to convert the expo from a simple showcase to an important economic and trade platform for exchanges and cooperation.

Supported by the China Merchants Group and South China sea fleet, the first-of-its kind offshore exhibition will be launched with advanced marine equipment such as warships, cruisers and yachts on display. In cooperation with the Hong Kong Merchants Group, it will present the latest achievements in port logistics and marine trade to visitors.

The most highly anticipated of the expo lies in the participation of more international buyers and exhibitors engaged in marine trade. The expo has invited more than 80 overseas business associations and some 30 foreign enterprises to attend this year, most of which are from countries along the Belt & Road.

In addition to forums on developing the marine economy and military-civilian integration, the event will see a wide variety of activities ranging from a beach music festival to a beer carnival and sand sculpture festival held on the sideline of the expo to make better use of Zhanjiang's characteristics as a coastal city.