Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, officially kicked off construction of its second airport in neighboring Foshan on Wednesday, as authorities seek to meet fast-growing civil aviation demand and reinforce the region"s role as a major hub in southern China.

　　The new airport is expected to support high-level opening-up and help foster a new development paradigm in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the provincial airport authority said.

　　Ling Yuzhen, chief engineer of the Guangdong Airport Authority"s construction command, said the project — located in Foshan"s Gaoming district in the western part of the Greater Bay Area — aims to optimize the region"s airport network.

　　"The new airport will play a significant role in building a world-class airport cluster, strengthening weak links in the current system and exploring a coordinated development model between the eastern and western parts of the Greater Bay Area," Ling said at the construction site.

　　He noted that aviation infrastructure in the region remains unevenly developed. "Airport development in the Greater Bay Area is currently stronger in the east and weaker in the west," he said.

　　Once completed, the airport is expected to serve more than 20 million people in Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Yangjiang, Yunfu and surrounding areas in western Guangdong, as well as parts of southwestern China.

　　Ling said the new facility will complement Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and promote coordinated development, enhancing connectivity between the region"s airport cluster and urban agglomeration.

　　The first phase of the project carries a total investment of 41.81 billion yuan ($6.06 billion), including 35.91 billion yuan for core airport construction.