Local authorities in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, have approved the establishment of a communications university, aiming to help improve communications development in the city.

Guangzhou Jiaotong University will cover an area of 66.7 hectares in the city's Huangpu district and begin operations in 2020, according to the Guangzhou Education Bureau.

According to Cao Zhiwei, a member of the local political advisory body, the communications university will help consolidate Guangzhou's leading position as a traffic hub in South China.

"Establishment of the university will help build an advanced system in research, development and production of the communications sector," Cao said.

According to the local education bureau, eight existing institutions, including Guangzhou Communications Technician Institute and Guangzhou Maritime University, will be included in the new communications university.

"The university will also build cooperations with leading overseas education institutes in research and development," Cao said.