Backed by the central government's strategy to continue the opening-up of western China, Chengdu, a hub city in western China, is expanding its ties with the world. 

Switzerland is scheduled to open a consulate general in the city in November to promote business between China and Switzerland and strengthen Sino-Swiss bilateral relations. It is the 16th foreign consulate approved to open in Chengdu. The city has the largest number of foreign consulates in western China. 

"To open the consulate general in Chengdu recognizes the exciting prospects this city and region holds for Sino-Swiss relations," said Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel. 

Chengdu has been rapidly expanding its friend circle as it becomes more international. It currently has 32 sister cities and has established friendly relations with another 39 cities.

By the end of last year, Chengdu had direct economic and trade relations with 223 major cities worldwide. 

The city is now strengthening these connections with the world through more international flights. 

The Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport has opened nearly 100 international routes, connecting it to more than 70 international cities including San Francisco, Paris, Frankfurt, Melbourne and Doha. 

To build itself into a worldclass aviation hub, Chengdu began construction of a second airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, in May. 

The airport will be put into operation in 2020. The long-term target for the airport is to have an annual capacity of 90 million passengers and 2 million metric tons of cargo a year. 

According to the city's plans, it is expected to have 70 international direct flights by 2020. 

The city is also operating the Chengdu-Europe Express Rail, the fastest and most frequently used express rail service linking China and Europe. It began operation in April 2013, in line with the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

On Nov 2, the express rail was expanded to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. A one-way trip takes about 13 days. 

Previously, the express rail was linked to European cities including Lodz and Kutno in Poland, Nuremberg in Germany and Tilburg in the Netherlands. 

According to the latest plan, Chengdu will operate two more cargo rail routes to Europe, one to Istanbul in Turkey, and another to Russia. 

"We have run three test trains to Istanbul. We expect the route to be put into official operation by the end of this year," said Chen Zhongwei, director of the Chengdu Port and Logistics Office. 

He said the third link, the Chengdu-Russia route, is scheduled to open this month. 

Chen expects the express rail to run 400 journeys this year and 1,000 journeys next year.

(Original title: International ties set to accelerate opening-up)