Sources with the Ministry of Communications said imports and exports grew steadily in the first three months of the year, particularly industrial materials such as coal and steel.

Analysts say that China lags behind other countries in port design, but the handling capacity of Chinese ports will nevertheless continue to grow.

The new corporate income tax law has retained preferential tax rates for investment in infrastructure facilities such as ports, wharves, airports, railways and highways.

Economists say port investment plans are not sensitive to interest rate changes and, buoyed by the robust throughput figures, will go ahead as planned.