The Port of Corpus Christi inked an agreement with a major Chinese port Tuesday that port officials say can generate new business for the area.

Port Executive Director John LaRue and Zhao Yanhu, vice president of Tianjin Port Group Co., signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to cooperate to boost economic opportunities for both ports.

"The enhancement of the port's relationship with the Tianjin Port Group plays a very important role in linking our port with ports in Asia as we continue to develop strategic business partnerships with countries in the Eastern Hemisphere," LaRue said in a news release.

LaRue is in China as part of a trade delegation led by Corpus Christi Mayor Joe Adame, according to a port news release.

Tianjin, China, is about 85 miles southeast of the capital city of Beijing and home to the Tianjin Pipe Group Corp., which is building a seamless pipe mill near port property in Gregory.

The pipe company's $1 billion investment could bring other opportunities from the Tianjin region to Corpus Christi, said Sandy Sanders, deputy port director of operations and business development.

Tianjin Port Group Co. operates the Port of Tianjin, the largest artificial harbor port in China.

In 2009, the Port of Tianjin ranked fourth-largest in the world, with tonnage topping 381 million metric tons, according to the American Association of Port Authorities.