Communication, Transportation and Commerce

Xi'an 's unique geographical location has turned the city into a converging point for the country's major railways, motorways, air transport and telecommunication cables. The vast inland markets are easily accessible from the city. As one of the four biggest airports in China, Xi'an Xianyang Airport services more than 100 domestic and international air routes. The new enlarged airport project was recently completed, increasing its annual passenger handling capacity from 2 million to 15 million. As the rail line to Nanjing, Ankang, Pingliang and Baotou from Xi'an is due for completion within one or two years, Xi'an is set to become a major hub for the networking railway transportation, connecting the Yellow river catchments in the north and the Yangtze River catchments in the south, and which runs through the Longhai-Lanxin economic belt. The main lines of the State motorway extend in every direction. The postal and telecommunications sector, which is based on modern information technology, has edged into the top ranks of the Chinese cities. The advanced transport system and the convenient transportation service have set in motion the growth of Xi'an 's logistics industry. During the last ten years, more than 100,000 retail outlets have emerged in the city, which also has about 500 different types of special markets, wholesale markets and production goods markets. The city is dotted with brand name shops, franchised supermarkets, warehouse markets and other new types of commerce, including online shopping. Retail volume continues to grow at an annual average of 20% and the total volume of retail accounts for 30% of the total figure for the seven capital cities in the mid-western region of the northern China, and 74% of the figure for all the capital cities of the five northwest provinces and regions of China.