The port area in Aoqian town of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Fujian province officially opened to the world after passing examinations from central authorities on July 8.

The Aoqian port area in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone officially opens on July 8. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

The Aoqian port area has basically built inspection and quarantine facilities and are deemed eligible to carry out inspection measures, said delegates from the inspection team.

The team was made up of inspectors from the port management office under the General Administration of Customs; the Ministry of Transport; the Headquarters of the General Staff; and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

It also required the Aoqian port area to complete infrastructure and supporting facilities, build an information platform, and a search and rescue mechanism.

The opening of the Aoqian port area will ensure the implementation of many favorable policies for Pingtan from central authorities. It is a milestone in the course of Pingtan’s opening-up and development, said Zhou Qingsong, deputy director of the PCPZ’s administrative committee.

Aoqian Port will boost communication and cooperation between Pingtan and Taiwan. It will also help connect Pingtan to the international community and hence optimize the economic environment. More industries, such as a port-centered industry and bonded logistics industry, will gather momentum and become new economic growth spots for Pingtan, according to insiders.

The State Council approved opening of Pingtan Port in March in order to implement a slew of favorable policies as well as customs operations.

The range of Pingtan Port is composed of two sections, namely the northern section and the southern section.

The Aoqian port area, along with the Jinjin port area and part of the Caoyu Islet, belongs to the southern section. It boasts a berth for 10,000-ton ships and a coastline of 9.2 kilometers.