In October 2014, the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) announced its plan to form a joint venture with American cruise company Carnival Corp to build China's first luxury cruise ship.

The plan aims to develop the country's cruise industry and foster new growth areas for the Chinese economy, said Hu Wenming, chairman of CSSC.

Hu said China currently needs about 50 luxury cruise ships, and the number is expected to rise in coming years.

The booming industry is also helping to transform China's ports.

So far, China has seven international cruise home ports, with two in Shanghai and one each in Tianjin, Sanya, Xiamen, Zhoushan and Qingdao. Another three international cruise ports are being built in Shenzhen, Haikou and Dalian.

Zhang Zhendong, general manager of the Tianjin international cruise home port, said that so far this year, the port has received 340,000 passengers on 74 cruises, and the port is expected to receive 650,000 visitors on 150 cruises in 2016.

The transformation from a single port to a comprehensive terminal will be crucial for the future development of China's cruise industry, he said.