SHANGHAI -- Shanghai will establish a demonstration zone for cruise tourism, approved by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the municipal authorities said Tuesday.

Shanghai aims to become a hub for cruise tourism and a base for cruise companies' headquarters across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a world-class home port and cruise tourism destination, by further innovating the policies, expanding its regional influence and upgrading the service capability for the cruise industry, said the municipal culture and tourism bureau.

The city is promoting the development of the whole chain of the cruise industry, including promoting the design and manufacturing of cruise ships, attracting world top cruise companies to set up headquarters and stimulating consumption related to cruise tourism in the region.

A 1,700-square-meter duty-free shop inside the cruise port will open in early November, when the second China International Import Expo takes place in Shanghai.

The Shanghai port has topped in cruise business across Asia over three consecutive years and makes up 63 percent of China's cruise market.