THE Port of Guigang in Guangxi Province handled more than 10 million tons of cargo in 2003.

China's Ministry of Communication confirmed that this is the first river port in the western part whose throughput has exceeded 10 million tons.

Compared with 2002, the figure jumped by 2.5 million tons, very close to 2015 target of 11.46 million tons set for the port.

Guigang Port started operation in 1956 and now has 103 berths with a container throughput of 4,000 TEU. It is linked by both rail and road.

Meanwhile, Nanjing Port handled more than 400,000 TEU in 2003.

The Ministry of Communication said this is a new record for Nanjing's container throughput, representing an increase of 35 per cent over 2002.

The ministry said Nanjing is now the premier container river port in China and has become an important channel for import and export in Changjiang Delta.