Zhanjiang is on track to transform from a base of traditional agriculture into a modern city embracing marine civilization, said Zhanjiang Party chief Liu Xiaohua at a recent cultural festival.

The first Zhanjiang Marine Festival opened on Sept 29.

The seven-day event was a big draw during the National Day holiday, helping Zhanjiang attract 2.5 million tourists during the period, an increase of nearly 10 percent from the same period last year.