Qingdao port, in East China's Shandong Province, became one of the world's top 10 container terminals, handling more than nine million TEUs by December 13, said sources with the port.

Its handling capacity rose by 23 percent over the same period last year.

An official in charge of water transport with the Ministry of Communications said the port was the country's second biggest foreign trade hub with a handling capacity of 7.6 million TEUs in 2006.

Chang Dechuan, chairman of the port, said it accomplished the current handling capacity with a dock designed to handle only 2.25 million TEUs thanks to technological innovation and improved efficiency. In 2007, the port opened 32 new routes.

Located in the Yellow River basin and on the western Pacific Rim, the port has established trade relations with more than 450 ports in more than 130 countries and regions.