Weihai, a port city in east China's Shandong Province, will soon be opened to foreign planes under the approval of the State Council, China's top governing body.

The move creates a new outlet at the Bohai Bay Rim and plays an important role in promoting economic and trade cooperation specifically between China and the Republic of Korea and Japan, an official with the Shandong provincial port office said.

With a flight distance of 450 km between Weihai and Seoul, the Chinese port city is a hot spot of investment for ROK businessmen. Weihai has air connections with about a dozen Chinese cities.

To facilitate opening of the port, the terminal building of the Weihai international airport has undergone an upgrading construction. The airport's communications, navigation and logistic supply systems are suitable for opening.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2004)