Authorities in Guangdong province are planning a pilot free trade zone in Nansha New Area, according to local government sources.

The free trade zone will span 24.52 square kilometers, covering the southern and northern parts of Longxue Island and Nansha Bay.

Chen Jianhua, mayor of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, visited Nansha early this month to assess the site selection for the pilot free trade zone, sources with the district government website said.