Chengdu is leading western China's investment charge, and Hui Bao, chairman of the Chengdu Overseas Exchanges Association and a member of Chengdu Municipal Committee, says that the growth of the city and its surrounding area is where China's focus now lies.

The aftermath of the global financial crisis has seen the rapid growth of China's large eastern cities slow. This has caused attention to increasingly turn towards inland areas of the country, and chief among them is the city of Chengdu. Barbara Njau reports on why this south-western centre is attracting more and more FDI attention.

Chengdu is establishing itself as an investment hub in western China. The city already has established automotive and bio-pharmaceutical industries, while its growing population is increasingly attracting the attention of the multinational retail brands.

(Photo, left: Chengdu at night copyright: Zhang dezhong)

The Chengdu government's long-term focus on the high-tech industries appears to be paying off, as its technology parks are attracting international names brought in by the city's pro-business attitude and deep talent pool.