Liang Xiaobin, director of the development and reform bureau of Zhanjiang said the city is expected to become a new investment destination for companies in the Pearl River Delta area, according to a report on the Zhanjiang Daily.

An increasing number of companies in the Pearl River Delta area are looking for desirable cities on the high-speed rail network for manufacturing or other service facilities, which could help to accelerate the industrial upgrade of Zhanjiang and promote economic growth in the city, he said.

Yang Wenguang, director of the Zhanjiang Bureau of Commerce, said that high-speed rail is a major factor for many companies when it comes to making investment decisions.

"Given the premier geographic location, abundant natural resources, excellent environment, convenient transportation and low production costs, Zhanjiang will attract more companies to settle down, which will stimulate the development of the city's trade and logistics," Yang said in the Zhanjiang Daily.

Huang Lipei, vice president of Zhanjiang Port Group, agreed that the high-speed rail would bring more people into Zhanjiang, as well as create better logistics which will in turn attract manufacturing and trade.

"The city's trade business and manufacturing are forecast to grow, which will benefit the ports in the long run," Huang said.

The ports in Zhanjiang handled a total cargo throughput of 280 million metric tons in 2017, an increase of 10 percent year-on-year, ranking the city 11th among all coastal ports in the country and the second in Guangdong, according to recently released statistics.

Its position as a domestically leading distribution center for iron ore, petroleum and coal will be further reinforced, Huang said.

Yu Jianren, chairman of the board of Guangdong Hotoli Science and Technology Co, based in Zhanjiang, said the operation of high-speed rail will bring more professionals to the city.

"It is very positive for the companies in Zhanjiang that intend to employ professionals from Guangzhou, Shenzhen or other cities in Pearl River Delta area, because the transportation has become so much easier," Yu said.

Roger Arnold, a research scientist at the China Eucalyptus Research Centre based in Zhanjiang, was one of the members of the public who rode the new high-speed rail during its trial run. He said that the line was a welcome addition to the city as well as being clean, spacious, comfortable and on time.