Modern transport network built to drive growth

An extensive and faster transport system linking cities is being planned by the government of Zhanjiang. The aim is to provide convenience for passengers and promote the local economy as a subcentral city in Guangdong province.

The Zhanjiang government will grasp the historic opportunity of becoming a subcentral city by developing local transport infrastructure－pushing the expansion of roads, railways, ports and airport with more effort, greater efficiency and at a faster speed－in a bid to meet the standards of a national transportation hub, said Zhuang Guangquan, head of the Zhanjiang transportation bureau.

The efforts in transportation improvement are in accordance with the city's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the overall plan of Zhanjiang Port, and the medium and long-term plan to build a comprehensive transport system and develop the tourism industry, the official said.

A highlight of the plans is the airport relocation project, with the ongoing construction of the Zhanjiang Wuchuan Airport. Some facilities, like railways and highways, to link the airport will be finished in the near future, according to Zhuang.

The main terminal of the Zhanjiang Wuchuan Airport is planned to be opened by 2022.

The main structure of the Zhanjiang Wuchuan Airport terminal is planned to be completed and put into operation by 2022. GUO BILONG/FOR CHINA DAILY

The construction the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang high-speed railway is underway. Several other interregional railways including Hepu-Zhanjiang railway, Zhanjiang-Haikou railway and the Guilin-Zhanjiang section of Zhangjiajie-Haikou railway will begin construction in the foreseeable future.

To have a high-speed railway reach every county in Zhanjiang is one of the major tasks of the long-term plan.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), Zhanjiang has made marked achievements in developing its transport system, Zhuang said.

The city's total investment in transportation infrastructure exceeded 70.7 billion yuan ($10.7 billion) during that period.

In the past five years, 143 kilometers of trunk railways were put into service, including 85.7 km of high-speed railway. The transport capacity of normal-speed railways was also improved significantly.

A number of wharves for special use were either under construction or opened.

The Xuwen Nanshan Port Terminal has been put into service, forming a new channel connecting Zhanjiang with Hainan province.

Zhanjiang West Railway Station has become a railway transport hub with the largest scale and most functions in western Guangdong, according to Zhuang.