A new shipping route linking Qinzhou Port in the Beibu Gulf, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Iran has been launched, sources with Guangxi Beibu Gulf Int. Port Group said Monday.

The Iranian container ship "Perarin," which can carry 3,280 standard containers, arrived at Qinzhou Port on Wednesday to deliver 978 containers from several countries along the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.

The 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road was proposed by China in 2013 along with the Silk Road Economic Belt, to open greater horizons for further trade and economic cooperation.

The arrival of "Perarin" at Qinzhou Port marked the opening of the first shipping route linking the Middle East and the Beibu Gulf which comprises three ports -- Qinzhou, Beihai and Fangchenggang.

The international shipping line connects some ports in south and southeast China and those in Singapore, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, before ending in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, according to the sources.

There are 22 ships departing from the Beibu Gulf each week for major ports in the ASEAN. Guangxi is now looking to extend its shipping routes to more Middle East and European countries to boost foreign trade. Endi