Zhanjiang's participation in the plan is paid-off in the city's development mission, which has been identified as building "a passageway, a free trade port and a pilot zone", meaning that the city will take part in the construction of the international sea-land corridor in the western region, strive to become a part of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone and build a national pilot zone for marine economy.

Zhanjiang's position at the intersection of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China (Hainan) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Port) and the city cluster of Beibu Gulf will help fulfill the interactive development of the western region with the three national strategic areas, according to Zhanjiang development and reform bureau.

"China Merchants Group, the largest shareholder of Zhanjiang Port, can provide convenience to the construction of the corridor which has arranged 34 ports in the countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative," a senior official of the bureau was quoted as saying by Zhanjiang Daily.

As one of the five major industries of Zhanjiang, the heavy chemical industry will rapidly develop in the port-centered areas, which will radiate to the cities and nurture the industrial chain along the corridor, he noted.

Zhanjiang Port Group also sees it as a historic opportunity to be a part of the new land-sea corridor plan. It is projected to build additional dry ports, mainly regions along the corridor including Chongqing, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hunan and Guangxi, for a network that covers the central and western region, according to the company.

It has already built and operates a dry port in Guizhou province.

Given Zhanjiang's position linking the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the group will strengthen ties with Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as the overseas ports and industrial parks of China Merchants Group on the one hand, and seek cooperation with rail companies on the other hand. "As a result, we will build a land-sea logistics corridor to facilitate the two-way goods flows that connect the Belt and the Road," said an executive of the group.

"Zhanjiang is facing unprecedented opportunities in being highlighted in several national strategies, I'm sure it will embrace the development," said He Weimin, a researcher at Guangdong Ocean University.