As the new host of the China Marine Economy Expo, Zhanjiang aims to make it another engine in China's rising maritime power, a senior official said.

Zhuang Xiaodong, deputy mayor of the city, told China Daily the expo will be a window on the world's latest developments in marine business.

"We hope to build the expo into a global brand of marine economic fairs," he said, adding the city is now applying to become the permanent host for the expo.