Design rendering of the sailboat and yacht service center in Zhoushan. [Photo/zhoushan.cn]

The sailboat and yacht service center in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, will be opened to the public in May, according to a promotion conference held in the city on March 5.

Located at the International Cruise Port in Zhujiajian Island, the Zhoushan International Sailboat and Yacht Center is built by the Zhoushan Archipelago International Cruise Port Co Ltd and the Zhoushan Yachting Association and will have more than 400 berths for sailboats and yachts.

The center will be equipped with facilities such as a navigation school, a sailing museum, and an ocean art museum, and offer services including maintenance, exhibition, and second-hand boat trading.

"Some of the berths are completed and are now undergoing trial operation," said Yu Chen, president of the Zhoushan Yachting Association, adding that improvements are now being made to the infrastructure of the old Xi'ao passenger terminal.

Yu noted that the center will offer various sports events, including sailing, yachting, sea fishing, and kayaking.

On March 24, the center will host its first activity - a sailing rally - which is expected to be attended by sailboat enthusiasts from around the country.

Spanning a sea area of 20,800 square kilometers and more than 1,000 islands, Zhoushan is a popular water sports destination. In September last year, the city released a work plan for the development of water sports industry and its integration with the tourism industry.