TOP officials from the Chinese Government discussed expanding the over-stretched Port of Darwin with Territory Resources Minister Kon Vatskalis in Beijing this week. 

Mr Vatskalis had direct talks with representatives from the Ministry for Commerce where they discussed the possibility of a public private partnership with a Chinese company to expand the Port of Darwin. 

"It is very close to reaching capacity," Mr Vatskalis said. "Construction needs to start in the next two to five years. 

Mr Vatskalis said the port needed a new wharf because South Australia will soon begin exporting uranium out of Darwin, and Western Australia may do the same. 

But Mr Vatskalis said the NT Government was not set on a public private partnership to fund the construction. 

"The Government will explore all options," he said. 

At the meeting held on Monday, Mr Vatskalis also discussed a new rail and port network in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It was the first meeting for Mr Vatskalis with the Chinese Central Government.