Representatives from the ports of Xiamen and San Antonio sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. [Photo/xm.gov.cn]

The Port of Xiamen recently established a friendly relationship with the Port of San Antonio, the largest in Chile, making it the Chinese city's 14th international friendly port, according to Xiamen port authority.

Last November China and Chile inked a memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xiamen's move is a response to cooperation between the two countries and will promote construction of the city into an international shipping center.

A spokesman for the Xiamen port authority said that the two ports plan to launch more container routes to deliver mineral products, red wine, fruit, and aquatic products between China and Chile.

He added that in addition to shipping, the ports of Xiamen and San Antonio can also explore cooperation on port management and information technology.

In 2002, the Port of Xiamen established its first friendly relationship with Baltimore Port in the United States. Since then, it has established relationships with 12 other ports in the world, including Mokpo Newport in South Korean, Duisburg Port in Germany and Port Swettenham in Malaysia.