Chengdu's global transportation networks and active involvement in global affairs are strong drivers for the development of the city's expo industry.

The Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is the fourth busiest airport on the Chinese mainland. It handled 42 million passengers last year.

The city has 89 international routes, the largest number in China's central and western regions. This year, it is also planning to open direct routes to international cities including New York, Sydney, Rome and Johannesburg.

In May, Chengdu started construction of a new airport, which is expected to be operating by 2020.

In line with the Belt and Road Initiative, the Chengdu-Europe express rail service began operations on April 23, 2013, linking Chengdu with Lodz, Poland.

The route is the fastest and most frequently used direct freight service from China to Europe. A one-way trip takes only 10 and a half days.

City leaders are planning to connect the express rail to more logistics hubs in Europe, including in France, Belgium, Russia and Turkey.

By the end of last year, Chengdu had direct economic and trade relations with 223 major cities worldwide, including 20 that have opened trade and tourism offices in the city.

There are more Fortune Global 500 companies and foreign consulates in Chengdu than in any other city in western China, numbering 271 and 15 respectively.

(China Daily 07/23/2016 page7)