Chinese President Xi Jinping is making his first official trip outside Beijing since he was elected for a new term last month, visiting the city of Zhanjiang in south China's Guangdong Province. Zhanjiang has been identified as an important development area in the country's modern coastal economic belt, and its strategic role is said to reflect Guangdong's leading role in China's opening-up efforts and ambition in marine economic development. President Xi's visit is also seen as a strong signal that Zhanjiang is set to become a comprehensive transportation hub, with an airport, highways, high-speed railway and seaport. The city is located across the sea from Hainan Province's pilot free trade port. CGTN's reporter Cen Ziyuan has more.

(Cover pic: Zhanjiang Mangrove National Natural Reserve. /CGTN)