A sea route linking east China's Shandong province and Inchon in the Republic of Korea (ROK) opened to shipping on Monday.

A passenger and cargo liner will operate on the 208-sea mile route from Shidao Port in Shandong's Rongcheng city to Inchon in northwestern ROK.

The Yellow Sea route is operated by the Sino-ROK-funded Rongcheng Huadong Shipping Co.

The company said the liner "Pearl of East China" would sail between the two ports three times a week.

The liner is expected to carry 100,000 passengers and 20,000 standard containers each year.

Shidao Port, one of China's major fishing ports, was listed by the Chinese government as a top-level open port in 2001.

( People's Daily July 30, 2002 )