The northeastern port city Dalian, in Liaoning province, will build up a high-level gateway to facilitate smooth domestic connections and international linkages, and push for higher-level opening-up, Chen Shaowang, a deputy to the National People's Congress and mayor of Dalian, said.

"Openness, which has given life and prosperity to Dalian, is in the genes of the city," said Chen, who is also deputy Party chief of Dalian.

Located at the center of the Northeast Asia Economic Rim, an important point for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Dalian was one of the first 14 coastal cities in China to open up and it has taken a lead in terms of openness in Northeast China.

"So far, Dalian has introduced more than 17,000 foreign-invested enterprises," Chen said. "It boasts more than 30,000 foreign trade enterprises and exports to over 200 countries and regions."

He said Dalian will further integrate with the building of the Belt and Road, and strengthen economic and trade cooperation with the countries involved in the initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

"We will promote opening-up to the north and expand cooperation with Russia in energy, minerals, grain, fisheries, timber and automobiles," he said.

"And we will continue to promote opening-up to the east, deepen cooperation with Japan and South Korea in high-end equipment manufacturing, electronic information, energy conservation, environmental protection, marine economy and other fields."